DreamLinux 3.1 Review

Here's my review of DreamLinux 3.1.

Setup

• Manufacturer : Hewlett-Packard
  
• Mainboard : Unspecified KM266-8235
  
• Chipset : VIA P4M266/KM266 (VT8375)
  
• Processor : AMD Athlon XP @ 1533 MHz
  
• Physical Memory : 512 MB (1 x 512 DDR-SDRAM )
  
• Video Card : S3 Inc 86C420 ProSavage DDR
  
• Hard Disk : SAMSUNG (40 GB)
  
• CD-Rom Drive : CyberDrv CW058D CD-R/RW
  
• Monitor Type : Hewlett Packard MX70 - 16 inches
  
• Network Card : Realtek Semiconductor RT8139 (A/B/C/810x/813x/C+) Fast Ethernet Adapter
  
• Operating System : Xubuntu 8.04 x86

Installation

I went to the DreamLinux site and grabbed DreamLinux 3.1 very easily, i just wanted to test it out but after i found out how good it was i just had to install it. I've heard great things about the easy installer so the first thing i did was go to "DL Installer" on my desktop and started it up, i went to the Partition Editor menu and started up GParted, after a couple of seconds i deleted my Xubuntu partition and went back to the main installer and entered the little info that was needed which included my username with password along with my root password. After that all it took was clicking Apply and waiting about 30mins.

Initial Impressions

LiveCD: When i booted into the LiveCD it configured my monitor perfectly, unlike Xubuntu had it was pretty much just the right size instead of too small. It also booted up in a pretty average time without any input from me. After the LiveCD booted i was greeted with a nice clean GNOME desktop. I'd like to note that xfce is the default desktop environment but i much prefer GNOME. So i decided to take a look into the "System monitor" to see how much it was stressing my system. It took up about 97MB, less than Xubuntu running the xfce desktop environment. I opened up Firefox and OpenOffice and the memory usage didn't go much higher, up to about 120MB. My processor usage also remained very low, and if i remember correctly it's lower than Xubuntu. This thing was built to run on such low resources i wonder what would happen if they tried using KDE instead of xfce and GNOME. I also enjoyed the dock, i love to use ObjectDock to get that in Windows so i was pleased to see AWN loaded up nice and fast.

Installed: I was greeted with a menu that allowed me to boot into DreamLinux, DreamLinux (safe mode) and another one i forget, but after about a second or two it booted into Dreamlinux and it loaded pretty fast. Much faster than Xubuntu, after a short loading screen i was greeted with my desktop. I went into "System Monitor" and checked the resources and it wasn't much different from the LiveCD, lower by about an MB or so. The CPU usage was a little lower too. I went and did a stress test with Firefox and OpenOffice and got the same results as before.

Visuals

I really like the visuals in DreamLinux, it looks a lot like OSX, in fact, if you change the theme to OSX in the theme manager window it looks exactly like OS X except for the wallpaper and some minor things. I really liked the fonts, it was a little different than your average Linux distro and looked nice. I don't think i could tell the difference between them and the vista fonts. Much better than XP fonts, and slightly better than Xubuntu's, i liked the fact that it was easy on the eyes. Beyond that it looked pretty much like every other GNOME desktop.

Extra's

The AWN dock was a nice extra, along with the DreamLinux CP. The software it has installed by default pretty much took care of every and any thing you'd ever want to do, just like OSX. I could play music, play movies, view youtube videos because it had flash 9 already installed. So it needs no configuring done after installation unless you have an app you really like that didn't come with it.

Ease of Use

I've been using Windows all my life, and even though i just recently got into the Linux scene with Xubuntu I've become pretty experienced with the basics, so i asked someone who barely knew how to word process, my mom to test out DreamLinux's ease of use. She got around it pretty fine and dandy and was checking her email in a matter of a minute or two. It's designed to be very easy to use, just like OSX.

Conclusion

It's such an amazing distro i can't leave it alone, I'm keeping it on that machine, and it will probably stay there for a very long time. just as the developers intended, using DreamLinux worked so perfectly it almost felt like i was dreaming.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Hardware fully functional
• Visually appealing
• Default software does all you want
• Faster than most distro's I've tried

Cons

• None

 

Nice review Calvin! I'm testing it tonight as well.

 

Thanks Calvin, now i know what to use for the guide Thomas sent me

 

Are there config tools specific to the distro ?

 

Yes, is include things that are specific for DreamLinux. I'll be adding screenshots soon after i test a couple more distro's and plug my flashdrive back in there.

 

So you didn't have any stability problems? Good. Hmm, I tried older version of DL before, and although it was nice, I ditched it because Debian etch was rapidly becoming outdated.

Have you tried using Debian Lenny packages from repository?

 

Nope, no stability problems at all. This version comes with Lenny built in i think.

 

Yup, it's Lenny.

 

Is this debian or redhat based?

 

Debian, Lenny actually.

 

Debian, as far as i know it's based on the Debian unstable which would be Lenny right now.

 

Yup, it's lenny.

 

Okay thanks I'm downloading it now.

 

Enjoy, one thing i should warn you about is that you should read the documentation on their website. As far as i remember this only extends to updating but you have to do something special, it's quite simple though.

 

Maybe I could write a guide on how to remaster this using Mk Distro....

 

Its installing at 91% now. It takes its time to install compared to Ubuntu/Mint XD

 

My sabayon install is almost done as well.

 

Just wondering. My iso does say 3.1 but the desktop wallpaper says 3.0 and FFs home page too. Anyway to check?

 

maybe try uname -r? Then see which kernel 3.1 or 3.0 shipped with?

 

it only gives the linux kernel, which is 2.6.23.12

 

Actually, from the website, it looks like 3.1 is just an updated version of 3.0, which means that the developers might not have changed ff or the desktop

 

DreamLinux, eh? For some reason I'm not attracted to how it looks. It looks so...glossy. The icons are all so shiny. I don't feel like I'm using linux when I get icon sets like those. Good to hear that it works well, but it's just not me.

I guess the word is "flashy" - DL looks too flasy and I don't like my linux like that (yeah I know I can customize it and all that, but still).

Nice review, Calvin =}

 

I have some problems now. While it worked last night now I cant access my 2 NTFS partitions. It says Im not prilegied to mount them.

Also, when I quit my session, my settings are not saved (theme and keyboards)

EDIT: Just want into the ubuntu live CD and unclean shutdown =/. I force mounted them and it works though. Need to backup because shrinking the windows partition with windows disk manager= evil and my vlite-made SP1 DVD doesnt have the repair option for whatever reason

 

Yeah, 3.1, and 3.2 are just small updates to 3.0 so they didn't bother changing wallpaper, and they all have the same docs.

 

It destroys Vista X64 boot manager. Installed 2 times and the 2 times "windows can't find winloader.exe, please use repair" and the vlite SP1 DVD doesn't allow repair. Kinda annoying.

 

When you boot up, doesn't it give you the option to boot into Other Operating Systems?

 

Yes I have the Vista option but it doesn't work, Vista says the installion is ****ed up. No problem with Ubuntu 8.04 or F8

 

Since my internet is like the gayest **** on the planet right now, do this:

Rename the following to "ndiswdm.inf" [like open up a text editor, copy and rename].

Code:

;-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; NDISWDM.INF
;
; Broadcom 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter
;
; Copyright (c) 2007, Broadcom Corporation.  All rights reserved.


[version]
Signature   = "$Windows NT$"
Class       = Net
ClassGUID   = {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Provider    = %Brcm%
DriverVer   = 08/27/2007,4.118.3.0
CatalogFile = bcm43xx.cat
CatalogFile.NTamd64 = bcm43xx64.cat


[Manufacturer]
%V_BCM% = BROADCOM, NTamd64

;-----------------------------------------------------------------
; x64 (AMD64, Intel EM64T) - WinXP
;
[BROADCOM.NTamd64]

%NdisWDM.DeviceDescFullcdc%   =  NdisWDM.ndi, usb\vid_4317&pid_2801
%Dynex_G.DeviceDescFullcdc%   =  NdisWDM.ndi, usb\vid_4317&pid_0721


;-----------------------------------------------------------------
; x86 - Win9x, Win2K, WinXP
;
[BROADCOM]
%NdisWDM.DeviceDescFullcdc%   =  NdisWDM.ndi, usb\vid_4317&pid_2801
%Dynex_G.DeviceDescFullcdc%   =  NdisWDM.ndi, usb\vid_4317&pid_0721


;-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Microsoft Virtual Ethernet Adapter
;
[NdisWDM.ndi]
Characteristics = 0x4 ; NCF_PHYSICAL
BusType		= 15 ; if you specify NCF_PHYSICAL, you must specify bustype
AddReg          = NdisWDM.Reg, common.reg, g.options.reg, bg.options.reg
DelReg		= common.delreg, rate.delreg
CopyFiles       = NdisWDM.CopyFiles

[NdisWDM.ndi.Services]
AddService      = NdisWDM, 2, NdisWDM.Service, NdisWDM.EventLog

;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Microsoft Virtual Miniport Common
;
[NdisWDM.Reg]
HKR,    ,                         BusNumber,           0, "0"
HKR, Ndi,                         Service,             0, "NdisWDM"
HKR, Ndi\Interfaces,              UpperRange,          0, "ndis5"
HKR, Ndi\Interfaces,              LowerRange,          0, "ethernet"


[common.delreg]
	HKR, Ndi\params\RoamPref
	HKR, Ndi\params\AssocPref
	HKR, Ndi\params\Locale
	HKR,,Locale

[rate.delreg]
	HKR, Ndi\params\Rate
	HKR, Ndi\params\RateA

[common.reg]

	HKR, ,"EnableAutoConnect",	0,	"1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta, ParamDesc,	0,	%RoamingTendency%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta\enum, "0",	        0,	%Aggressive%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta\enum, "1",         0,	%Moderate%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta\enum, "2",         0,	%Conservative%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta,default,,"1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag, ParamDesc,	0,	%FragmentationThreshold%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,type,0,"dword"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,min,,"256"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,max,,"2346"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,default,,"2346"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts, ParamDesc,	0,	%RTSThreshold%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,type,0,"dword"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,min,,"0"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,max,,"2347"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,default,,"2347"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, ParamDesc,	0, %LocallyAdministeredMACAddress%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, type,	0, "edit"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, LimitText,	0, "12"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, UpperCase,  0, "1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, default,	0, ""
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, optional,	0, "1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut, ParamDesc,	0,	%PowerOutput%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "100",	0,	"100%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "75",	0,	"75%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "50",	0,	"50%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "25",	0,	"25%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut,default,,"100"

	HKR, 	Ndi\params\Managed, ParamDesc,0,	%Manage_Wireless_Settings%
	HKR, 	Ndi\params\Managed, type,     0, 	"enum"
	HKR, 	Ndi\params\Managed\enum, "0", 0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Managed\enum, "1", 0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Managed,default,,"1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting, ParamDesc,	0,	%XPress_Technology%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting\enum, "0",		0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting\enum, "1",		0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\FrameBursting,default,,"0"	


	HKR,					,"ledbh0",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledbh1",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledbh2",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledbh3",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledblinkslow",0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledblinkmed",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledblinkfast",0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"leddc",	0,	"0"

	HKR,					,"scan_channel_time",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"scan_unassoc_time",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"scan_home_time",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"scan_passes",		0,	"-1"

	HKR,					,"EFCEnable",		0,	"0"

	HKLM,	Software\Broadcom\802.11, PerUserPN, 0x00010001, 0
	HKLM,	Software\Broadcom\802.11, DisallowPNChanges, 0x00010001, 0

[g.options.reg]
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger, ParamDesc,	0,	%RoamingDecision%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger\enum, "-60",	0,	%OptimizeBandwidth%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger\enum, "-70",	0,	%Default%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger\enum, "-80",	0,	%OptimizeDistance%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger,default,,"-70"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader, ParamDesc,	0,	%BSSPLCPHeader%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader\enum, "-1",	0,	%Long%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader\enum, "0",	0,	%AutoShortLong%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader,default,,"0"

	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode, ParamDesc,	0,      %IBSS54gtmMode%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode, type,         0,      "enum"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "0",     0,      %80211bOnly%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "1",     0,      %54gLRS%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "2",     0,      %54gAuto%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "4",     0,      %54gPerformance%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode,default,,"0"

	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection, ParamDesc,	0,      %IBSS54gtmProtectionMode%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection, type,       0,      "enum"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection\enum, "0",   0,      %Disabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection\enum, "2",   0,      %Auto%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection,default,,"2"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate, ParamDesc,	0,	%Rate%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "0",	0,	%Usebestrate%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "2",	0,	" 1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "4",	0,	" 2"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "11",	0,	" 5.5"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "12",	0,	" 6"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "18",	0,	" 9"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "22",	0,	"11"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "24",	0,	"12"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "36",	0,	"18"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "48",	0,	"24"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "72",	0,	"36"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "96",	0,	"48"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "108",0,	"54"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate,default,,"0"

	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner, ParamDesc,	0,      "Afterburner"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner, type,       0,      "enum"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner\enum, "0",   0,      %Disabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner\enum, "1",   0,      %Enabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner,default,,"1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME, ParamDesc,	0,	%WME%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME\enum, "-1",	0,	%Auto%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME\enum, "1",	0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME\enum, "0",	0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME,default,,"0"
; the next line forces upgrade installation to configure WME value to be -1
	;HKR,	,"WME",0,"-1"




; options common to both b and g
[bg.options.reg]
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, ParamDesc, 0, %IBSSChannelNumber%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, default,   0, "11"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, min,       0, "1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, max,       0, "14"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, step,      0, "1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, base,      0, "10"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, type,      0, "int"


;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Driver and Service Section
;
[NdisWDM.CopyFiles]
NdisWDM.sys,,,2

[NdisWDM.Service]
DisplayName     = %NdisWDM.Service.DispName%
ServiceType     = 1 ;%SERVICE_KERNEL_DRIVER%
StartType       = 3 ;%SERVICE_DEMAND_START%
ErrorControl    = 1 ;%SERVICE_ERROR_NORMAL%
ServiceBinary   = %12%\ndiswdm.sys
LoadOrderGroup  = NDIS
AddReg          = TextModeFlags.Reg

[NdisWDM.EventLog]
AddReg = NdisWDM.AddEventLog.Reg

[NdisWDM.AddEventLog.Reg]
HKR, , EventMessageFile, 0x00020000, "%%SystemRoot%%\System32\netevent.dll"
HKR, , TypesSupported,   0x00010001, 7

[TextModeFlags.Reg]
HKR, , TextModeFlags,    0x00010001, 0x0001

[SourceDisksNames]
1 = %DiskId1%,,,""

[SourceDisksFiles]
ndiswdm.sys  = 1,,

;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
; DestinationDirs
;
[DestinationDirs]
NdisWDM.CopyFiles = 12

;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Localizable Strings
;
[Strings]
Brcm			            = "Dynex"
V_BCM			            = "Dynex"
Msft                        = "Microsoft"                     
NdisWDM.DeviceDescRaw       = "Broadcom 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter Raw"
NdisWDM.DeviceDescFull      = "Broadcom 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter Full"
NdisWDM.DeviceDescFullcdc   = "Broadcom 802.11g Wireless USB Adapter CDC"
Dynex_G.DeviceDescFullcdc   = "Dynex Enhanced Wireless G USB Network Adapter"
NdisWDM.Service.DispName    = "Dynex Enhanced Wireless G USB Network Adapter Service"
DiskId1 = "Dynex Enhanced Wireless G USB Network Adapter Device Installation Disk #1"
Promiscuous        = "Set the physical NIC to promiscuous mode"
Promiscuous_Disable = "Disable"
Promiscuous_Enable  = "Enable"
1Mb=" 1 Mb"
2Mb=" 2 Mb"
55Mb=" 5.5 Mb"
6Mb=" 6 Mb"
9Mb=" 9 Mb"
11Mb="11 Mb"
12Mb="12 Mb"
18Mb="18 Mb"
24Mb="24 Mb"
36Mb="36 Mb"
48Mb="48 Mb"
54Mb="54 Mb"
4g80211bCompatible="54g - 802.11b Compatible"
54gAuto="54g - Auto"
54gLRS="54g - LRS"
54gPerformance="54g - Performance"
80211bMode="802.11b Mode"
80211bOnly="802.11b Only"
AdHoc="Ad Hoc"
AntennaDiversity="Antenna Diversity"
AssociationPreference="Association Preference"
Auto="Auto"
AutoShortLong="Auto (Short/Long)"
AutoTxPreamble="Auto Tx Preamble"
BSSMode="BSS Mode"
BSSPLCPHeader="BSS PLCP Header"
BlueToothCollaboration="Bluetooth Collaboration"
Channel="Channel"
Default="Default"
Disable="Disable"
Disable80211a="Disable 802.11a"
Disable80211gb="Disable 802.11g/b"
DisableBands="Disable Bands"
Disabled="Disabled"
Enable="Enable"
Enabled="Enabled"
FragmentationThreshold="Fragmentation Threshold"
FrameBursting="Frame Bursting"
FullyAutomatic="Fully Automatic"
IBSS54gtmMode="IBSS 54g(tm) Mode"
IBSS54gtmProtectionMode="IBSS 54g(tm) Protection Mode"
IBSSChannelNumber="IBSS Channel Number"
IBSSMode="IBSS Mode"
Infrastructure="Infrastructure"
LocallyAdministeredMACAddress="Locally Administered MAC Address"
Long="Long"
LongTxPreamble="Long Tx Preamble"
Manage_Wireless_Settings="Manage Wireless Settings"
NetworkType="Network Type"
None="None"
OptimizeBandwidth='Optimize Bandwidth'
OptimizeDistance="Optimize Distance"
PLCPHeader="PLCP Header"
PowerOutput="Power Output"
PreambleMode="Preamble Mode"
Prefer80211a="Prefer 802.11a"
Prefer80211gb="Prefer 802.11g/b"
RTSThreshold="RTS Threshold"
RadioEnableDisable="Radio Enable/Disable"
Rate="Rate"
Region1="Region 1"
Region2="Region 2"
Region3="Region 3"
Region4="Region 4"
RoamingDecision="Roaming Decision"
RoamingPreference="Roaming Preference"
SSid='SSID'
StayInBand="Stay In Band"
TransmitRate="Transmit Rate"
Usebestrate="Use best rate"
WME="WMM"
Normal="Normal"
XPress_Technology="XPress (TM) Technology"
USA_TAIWAN="USA/Taiwan"
Location="Location"
Strict="Strict"
Loose="Loose"
Fast="Fast"
MaxPowerSavings="Max Power Savings"
HighPerformance="High Performance"
MiminumPowerConsumption="Minimum Power Consumption"
AssociationRoamPreference="Association Roam Preference"
BandPreference="Band Preference"
RoamingTendency="Roam Tendency"
Aggressive="Aggressive"
Moderate="Moderate"
Conservative="Conservative"
Aux="Aux"
Main="Main"
LinksysWPC11="Linksys WPC11 Mode"

Try that inf and use ndiswrapper with it. If that doesn't work, try this one:

Code:

; /****************************************************************************
; Broadcom: Dhdusb driver inf adapted from Microsoft/Realtek sample
;
; ****************************************************************************/

[version]
Signature   = "$Windows NT$"
Class       = Net
ClassGUID   = {4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Provider    = %Brcm%
Compatible	= 1
; LayoutFile= layout.inf
CatalogFile.NTx86=bcmusbdhdlh.cat
CatalogFile.NTamd64=bcmusbdhdlh64.cat
DriverVer=09/18/2007, 4.170.16.5


[Manufacturer]
%Broadcom%     = Dhdusb, NTx86.6.0, NTamd64.6.0


[ControlFlags]
ExcludeFromSelect = *


[Dhdusb.NTx86.6.0]
; DisplayName                   Section         DeviceID
; -----------                   -------         --------
%Brcm.DeviceDesc%             = dhdusb.ndi,     USB\VID_4317&PID_0721

[Dhdusb.NTamd64.6.0]
; DisplayName                   Section         DeviceID
; -----------                   -------         --------
%Brcm.DeviceDesc%             = dhdusb.ndi,     USB\VID_4317&PID_0721

[dhdusb.ndi.NTx86]
Characteristics = 0x84
BusType         = 5
AddReg          = dhdusb.reg, common.reg, g.options.reg, bg.options.reg
CopyFiles       = dhdusb.CopyFiles.NTx86
*IfType         = 71            ; IF_TYPE_IEEE80211
*MediaType      = 16            ; NdisMediumNative802_11
*PhysicalMediaType = 9          ; NdisPhysicalMediumNative802_11

[dhdusb.ndi.NTamd64]
Characteristics = 0x84
BusType         = 5
AddReg          = dhdusb.reg.NTamd64, common.reg, g.options.reg, bg.options.reg
CopyFiles       = dhdusb.CopyFiles.NTamd64
*IfType         = 71            ; IF_TYPE_IEEE80211
*MediaType      = 16            ; NdisMediumNative802_11
*PhysicalMediaType = 9          ; NdisPhysicalMediumNative802_11

[dhdusb.ndi.NTx86.Services]
AddService = dhdusb.NTx86, 2, dhdusb.Service.NTx86, dhdusb.EventLog

[dhdusb.ndi.NTamd64.Services]
AddService = dhdusb.NTamd64, 2, dhdusb.Service.NTamd64, dhdusb.EventLog

[dhdusb.reg]
HKR, Ndi,                         Service,    0, "dhdusb"

HKR, Ndi\Interfaces,              UpperRange, 0, "ndis5"
HKR, Ndi\Interfaces,              LowerRange, 0, "wlan,ethernet"

HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  ParamDesc,  0, "%ReceiveBuffers%"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  default,    0, "64"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  min,        0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  max,        0, "00000128"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  step,       0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  Base,       0, "10"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  type,       0, "int"

HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, ParamDesc,  0, "%TransmitBuffers%"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, default,    0, "20"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, min,        0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, max,        0, "00000020"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, step,       0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, Base,       0, "10"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, type,       0, "int"

[dhdusb.reg.NTamd64]
HKR, Ndi,                         Service,    0, "dhdusb"

HKR, Ndi\Interfaces,              UpperRange, 0, "ndis6"
HKR, Ndi\Interfaces,              LowerRange, 0, "wlan,ethernet"

HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  ParamDesc,  0, "%ReceiveBuffers%"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  default,    0, "64"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  min,        0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  max,        0, "00000128"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  step,       0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  Base,       0, "10"
HKR, Ndi\params\*ReceiveBuffers,  type,       0, "int"

HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, ParamDesc,  0, "%TransmitBuffers%"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, default,    0, "20"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, min,        0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, max,        0, "00000020"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, step,       0, "1"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, Base,       0, "10"
HKR, Ndi\params\*TransmitBuffers, type,       0, "int"

[common.reg]

	HKR, ,"EnableAutoConnect",	0,	"1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta, ParamDesc,	0,	%RoamingTendency%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta\enum, "0",	        0,	%Aggressive%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta\enum, "1",         0,	%Moderate%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta\enum, "2",         0,	%Conservative%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamDelta,default,,"1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\PowerSaveMode, ParamDesc,	0,	%PowerSaveMode%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PowerSaveMode, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PowerSaveMode\enum, "0",	0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PowerSaveMode\enum, "1",	0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PowerSaveMode\enum, "2",	0,	%Fast%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\PowerSaveMode,default,,"0"	

	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag, ParamDesc,	0,	%FragmentationThreshold%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,type,0,"dword"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,min,,"256"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,max,,"2346"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\frag,default,,"2346"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts, ParamDesc,	0,	%RTSThreshold%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,type,0,"dword"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,min,,"0"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,max,,"2347"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\rts,default,,"2347"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, ParamDesc,	0, %LocallyAdministeredMACAddress%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, type,	0, "edit"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, LimitText,	0, "12"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, UpperCase,  0, "1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, default,	0, ""
	HKR,	Ndi\params\NetworkAddress, optional,	0, "1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut, ParamDesc,	0,	%PowerOutput%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "100",	0,	"100%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "75",	0,	"75%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "50",	0,	"50%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut\enum, "25",	0,	"25%"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PwrOut,default,,"100"

	HKR, 	Ndi\params\Managed, ParamDesc,0,	%Manage_Wireless_Settings%
	HKR, 	Ndi\params\Managed, type,     0, 	"enum"
	HKR, 	Ndi\params\Managed\enum, "0", 0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Managed\enum, "1", 0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Managed,default,,"1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting, ParamDesc,	0,	%XPress_Technology%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting\enum, "0",		0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\FrameBursting\enum, "1",		0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\FrameBursting,default,,"0"	


	HKR,					,"ledbh0",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledbh1",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledbh2",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledbh3",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledblinkslow",0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledblinkmed",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"ledblinkfast",0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"leddc",	0,	"0"

	HKR,					,"scan_channel_time",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"scan_unassoc_time",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"scan_home_time",	0,	"-1"
	HKR,					,"scan_passes",		0,	"-1"

	HKR,					,"EFCEnable",		0,	"0"

	HKLM,	Software\Broadcom\802.11, PerUserPN, 0x00010001, 0
	HKLM,	Software\Broadcom\802.11, DisallowPNChanges, 0x00010001, 0

[g.options.reg]
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger, ParamDesc,	0,	%RoamingDecision%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger\enum, "-60",	0,	%OptimizeBandwidth%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger\enum, "-70",	0,	%Default%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger\enum, "-80",	0,	%OptimizeDistance%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\RoamTrigger,default,,"-70"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader, ParamDesc,	0,	%BSSPLCPHeader%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader\enum, "-1",	0,	%Long%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader\enum, "0",	0,	%AutoShortLong%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\PLCPHeader,default,,"0"

	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode, ParamDesc,	0,      %IBSS54gtmMode%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode, type,         0,      "enum"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "0",     0,      %80211bOnly%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "1",     0,      %54gLRS%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "2",     0,      %54gAuto%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode\enum, "4",     0,      %54gPerformance%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGMode,default,,"0"

	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection, ParamDesc,	0,      %IBSS54gtmProtectionMode%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection, type,       0,      "enum"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection\enum, "0",   0,      %Disabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection\enum, "2",   0,      %Auto%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\IBSSGProtection,default,,"2"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate, ParamDesc,	0,	%Rate%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "0",	0,	%Usebestrate%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "2",	0,	" 1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "4",	0,	" 2"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "11",	0,	" 5.5"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "12",	0,	" 6"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "18",	0,	" 9"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "22",	0,	"11"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "24",	0,	"12"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "36",	0,	"18"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "48",	0,	"24"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "72",	0,	"36"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "96",	0,	"48"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate\enum, "108",0,	"54"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Rate,default,,"0"

	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner, ParamDesc,	0,      "Afterburner"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner, type,       0,      "enum"
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner\enum, "0",   0,      %Disabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner\enum, "1",   0,      %Enabled%
	HKR,    Ndi\params\Afterburner,default,,"1"

	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME, ParamDesc,	0,	%WME%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME, type,		0,	"enum"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME\enum, "-1",	0,	%Auto%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME\enum, "1",	0,	%Enabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME\enum, "0",	0,	%Disabled%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\WME,default,,"0"
; the next line forces upgrade installation to configure WME value to be -1
	HKR,	,"WME",0,"0"


; options common to both b and g
[bg.options.reg]
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, ParamDesc, 0, %IBSSChannelNumber%
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, default,   0, "11"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, min,       0, "1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, max,       0, "14"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, step,      0, "1"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, base,      0, "10"
	HKR,	Ndi\params\Channel, type,      0, "int"


[dhdusb.Service.NTx86]
DisplayName     = %Brcm.Service.DispName%
ServiceType     = 1             ;SERVICE_KERNEL_DRIVER
StartType       = 3             ;SERVICE_DEMAND_START
ErrorControl    = 1             ;SERVICE_ERROR_NORMAL
ServiceBinary   = %12%\bcmusbdhdlh.sys
LoadOrderGroup  = NDIS

[dhdusb.Service.NTamd64]
DisplayName     = %Brcm.Service.DispName%
ServiceType     = 1             ;SERVICE_KERNEL_DRIVER
StartType       = 3             ;SERVICE_DEMAND_START
ErrorControl    = 1             ;SERVICE_ERROR_NORMAL
ServiceBinary   = %12%\bcmusbdhdlh64.sys
LoadOrderGroup  = NDIS


[dhdusb.EventLog]
AddReg = dhdusb.AddEventLog.reg

[dhdusb.AddEventLog.reg]
HKR, ,	EventMessageFile,	0x00020000,	"%%SystemRoot%%\System32\netevent.dll;%%SystemRoot%%\System32\drivers\bcmusbdhdlh64.sys"
HKR, , TypesSupported,   0x00010001, 7

[DestinationDirs]
DefaultDestDir            = 11
dhdusb.CopyFiles.NTx86    = 12
dhdusb.CopyFiles.NTamd64  = 12

[SourceDisksNames]
1 = %DiskDescription%,,

[SourceDisksFiles]
bcmusbdhdlh.sys   = 1
bcmusbdhdlh64.sys = 1

[dhdusb.CopyFiles.NTx86]
bcmusbdhdlh.sys,,,1

[dhdusb.CopyFiles.NTamd64]
bcmusbdhdlh64.sys,,,1


;-------------- WDF Coinstaller installation

[DestinationDirs]
CoInstaller_CopyFiles = 11

[dhdusb.NTx86.CoInstallers]
AddReg=CoInstaller_AddReg
CopyFiles=CoInstaller_CopyFiles

[dhdusb.NTamd64.CoInstallers]
AddReg=CoInstaller_AddReg
CopyFiles=CoInstaller_CopyFiles

[CoInstaller_CopyFiles]
wdfcoinstaller01005.dll

[SourceDisksFiles]
wdfcoinstaller01005.dll=1 ; make sure the number matches with SourceDisksNames

[CoInstaller_AddReg]
HKR,,CoInstallers32,0x00010000, "wdfcoinstaller01005.dll,WdfCoInstaller"

[dhdusb.Wdf]
KmdfService = dhdusb, dhdusb_wdfsect
[dhdusb_wdfsect]
KmdfLibraryVersion = 1.5

;---------------------------------------------------------------;

[Strings]
Brcm                         = "Dynex"
Broadcom                     = "Dynex"
Brcm.DeviceDesc              = "Dynex Enhanced Wireless G USB Network Adapter"
Brcm.Service.DispName        = "Dynex Enhanced Wireless G USB Network Adapter Service"
DiskDescription              = "Dynex Enhanced Wireless G USB Network Adapter Driver Disk 1"
TransmitBuffers              = "Transmit Buffers"
ReceiveBuffers               = "Receive Buffers"
Promiscuous        = "Set the physical NIC to promiscuous mode"
Promiscuous_Disable = "Disable"
Promiscuous_Enable  = "Enable"
1Mb=" 1 Mb"
2Mb=" 2 Mb"
55Mb=" 5.5 Mb"
6Mb=" 6 Mb"
9Mb=" 9 Mb"
11Mb="11 Mb"
12Mb="12 Mb"
18Mb="18 Mb"
24Mb="24 Mb"
36Mb="36 Mb"
48Mb="48 Mb"
54Mb="54 Mb"
4g80211bCompatible="54g - 802.11b Compatible"
54gAuto="54g - Auto"
54gLRS="54g - LRS"
54gPerformance="54g - Performance"
80211bMode="802.11b Mode"
80211bOnly="802.11b Only"
AdHoc="Ad Hoc"
AntennaDiversity="Antenna Diversity"
AssociationPreference="Association Preference"
Auto="Auto"
AutoShortLong="Auto (Short/Long)"
AutoTxPreamble="Auto Tx Preamble"
BSSMode="BSS Mode"
BSSPLCPHeader="BSS PLCP Header"
BlueToothCollaboration="Bluetooth Collaboration"
Channel="Channel"
Default="Default"
Disable="Disable"
Disable80211a="Disable 802.11a"
Disable80211gb="Disable 802.11g/b"
DisableBands="Disable Bands"
Disabled="Disabled"
Enable="Enable"
Enabled="Enabled"
FragmentationThreshold="Fragmentation Threshold"
FrameBursting="Frame Bursting"
FullyAutomatic="Fully Automatic"
IBSS54gtmMode="IBSS 54g(tm) Mode"
IBSS54gtmProtectionMode="IBSS 54g(tm) Protection Mode"
IBSSChannelNumber="IBSS Channel Number"
IBSSMode="IBSS Mode"
Infrastructure="Infrastructure"
LocallyAdministeredMACAddress="Locally Administered MAC Address"
Long="Long"
LongTxPreamble="Long Tx Preamble"
NetworkType="Network Type"
None="None"
OptimizeBandwidth='Optimize Bandwidth'
OptimizeDistance="Optimize Distance"
PLCPHeader="PLCP Header"
PowerOutput="Power Output"
PowerSaveMode="Power Save Mode"
PreambleMode="Preamble Mode"
Prefer80211a="Prefer 802.11a"
Prefer80211gb="Prefer 802.11g/b"
RTSThreshold="RTS Threshold"
RadioEnableDisable="Radio Enable/Disable"
Rate="Rate"
Region1="Region 1"
Region2="Region 2"
Region3="Region 3"
Region4="Region 4"
RoamingDecision="Roaming Decision"
RoamingPreference="Roaming Preference"
SSid='SSID'
StayInBand="Stay In Band"
TransmitRate="Transmit Rate"
Usebestrate="Use best rate"
WME="WMM"
Normal="Normal"
XPress_Technology="XPress (TM) Technology"
USA_TAIWAN="USA/Taiwan"
Location="Location"
Strict="Strict"
Loose="Loose"
Fast="Fast"
MaxPowerSavings="Max Power Savings"
HighPerformance="High Performance"
MiminumPowerConsumption="Minimum Power Consumption"
AssociationRoamPreference="Association Roam Preference"
BandPreference="Band Preference"
RoamingTendency="Roam Tendency"
Aggressive="Aggressive"
Moderate="Moderate"
Conservative="Conservative"
Aux="Aux"
Main="Main"
LinksysWPC11="Linksys WPC11 Mode"
Manage_Wireless_Settings="Wireless Settings"

If both of those fail, I don't know what the **** you'll have to do. Maybe flushing the adapter down the toilet might help.

EDIT: Finally, I got the zip file with those 2 infs uploaded. Fetch!

 

Dreamlinux looks gorgeous, but they've got some bugs yet to work out....it's not great sometimes at fulfilling dependencies (yet) for example.....

 

Nice review,

I don't like dreamlinux, it tries to hard to be a mac and uses xfce (i really hate xfce based distros for some reason)

 

It has Gnome as well, the Gnome version is pretty awesome.
As for the theming, it's linux, just change it lol.

 

I personally don't mind xfce. For me I think it's Gnome > xfce > KDE. Mainly because KDE icons are so big, it's as if they think I'm blind. .

 

You can change all that you know, as well the Kmenu, icons....just about everything.

 

Me too, but i don't like KDE because i think it overdoes it with the graphics.

 

You know, let's be Dick here, err I mean Frank....somebody's over is someone else's under.....lol

 

Yes. Yes, I know. I'm just saying what I prefer. This is analogous to one saying "I like XP Classic. Classic > XP Default > Vista" and to which you reply with "You can change all that you know, as well the Kmenu, icons....just about everything." [well not KMenu. In this case it'd be explorer. But you know what I'm pointing to.]

So yeah even if you can change all of it, there's this thing called "Which default do you like better?"

.

 

For me it's KDE, Xfce, gnome.....months ago, it was the exact opposite. Not sure what changed me....I did hate it in Ubuntu when a program would go dark while it was working sometimes....that doesn't happen in KDE....I guess it's the configurability methinks.

 

Funny how it goes dark in linux and how it goes white in Windows. .

 

Then everything goes blue with white letters all over the screen (in Windows) LOL