Which Linux distro for native on a Mac Pro

[Spanky Deluxe]

I need to get a decent linux distro running on my Mac Pro natively. I really wanted to use Fedora since that's what I've been using in a VM window for development but it refuses to work natively. My linux installation is sandwitched between two FAT32 data partitions on my third hard drive. I'm using Refit but it doesn't seem to start up GRUB when choosing the linux partition (which Refit detects fine). All I get is a flashing cursor.

So, unless anyone can suggest a way to get Fedora working, which other distros would you suggest?

My needs from a Linux distro are the ability to install the following things easily: Eclipse, ICC and FFTW3. That's it.

I know this is a Windows on the Mac forum but I'm hoping some people might still be able to help!

 

[miniConvert]

Well, if you can't fix Fedora, which I hope you can, then I guess an obvious alternative would be Ubuntu. It seems to be raved about pretty constantly.

I can't see why, if that installs and boots fine, Fedora would be any different, mind.

 

[HugMnster]

Look at SuSe

you might take a look at SuSe linux at http://www.opensuse.org. I have not used it on a mac but use it on pc's an it rocks for a linux distro. Been using it for years on my servers at work.

jack

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

That's what I though, it boots from the cd fine, installs fine, it just won't boot the actual installation. I'm wondering if its to do with Linux being sandwiched between two other partitions and not on the primary drive. Linux is supposed to be pretty resilient and bootable anywhere. Do you know if there's a way to boot an installed copy via the install cd? I wouldn't mind having to do something like that, I only need a native install for occasional testing of a linux distro with 4 cores vs the 2 that vmware gives me.

HugMnster: I used SuSe before years ago a bit and quite liked it. I'll look into it, thanks.