[LBo] Hardware drivers

[Stefan Waidele]

Jisao schrieb:
> [...]
> To install some other OS, I had to install drivers for any of these to 
> work.  I was wondering if it is the same for Linux.

Yes. Usually (for HW which is older than the distribution you use), most 
drivers are installed automatically.

In linux, "drivers" are called modules or kernel modules.
(Except for printer-drivers, which are called "filters".)

> If one have very 
> recent hardware, is it possible that it is not detected by Linux because 
> of lack of a proper driver?

Yes.

> I am not too sure of how things work with Linux in that regard.

If your distro does not provide the propper modules, it comes down to 
getting the driver's source, installing your kernel-headers and 
compiling the module so it fits your kernel.

Usually modules come with install-instructions, although they might not 
be "newbie-friendly". Feel free to ask on the list for specifics :)

HTH,

Stefan