Computers - Planning My Next Build

[aja8888]

You are welcome. Note that the bios admin password on them need a resest. But that shouldn't he an issue for foljs who like that kind of stuff, myself included ��

If I remember correctly, you can just remove the CMOS battery for an hour or so, or if it has a MB jumper, reset it.

 

[easysurfer]

If I remember correctly, you can just remove the CMOS battery for an hour or so, or if it has a MB jumper, reset it.

Never had to do a reset on a machine before. But doing some reading, looks like on Dells, there's also a jumper that needs to be removed to clear the password.

How to Perform a BIOS or CMOS Reset and/or Clear the NVRAM on your Dell System | Dell US

 

[aja8888]

A real key to these OS stripped machines is going to be getting the driver package from Dell. You will need the service tag number at a minimum.

 

[easysurfer]

A real key to these OS stripped machines is going to be getting the driver package from Dell. You will need the service tag number at a minimum.

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see an issue since this will be a Linux machine as I'm counting on enough smarts for Linux to not need a driver package like in a Win world.

 

[aja8888]

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see an issue since this will be a Linux machine as I'm counting on enough smarts for Linux to not need a driver package like in a Win world.

Could be with Linux. Sometimes audio and video cards may be a problem. I have only loaded Ubuntu on a laptop a time or two so I don't have much experience there. I have built 100's of WIN machines when I ran my old service business. But that was 10 years ago.

 

[easysurfer]

Could be with Linux. Sometimes audio and video cards may be a problem. I have only loaded Ubuntu on a laptop a time or two so I don't have much experience there. I have built 100's of WIN machines when I ran my old service business. But that was 10 years ago.

I've put Linux on laptops and tested on my current Dell desktop with no issue about needed separate driver packs. But, think would need to make sure to update with most current bios.

I'm actually awhile away from making the switch to a "new" PC, but the price was well worth what I was willing to pay, so sprung at the chance, even if the PC sits in my closet for months. An offer I couldn't refuse.

 

[aja8888]

I've put Linux on laptops and tested on my current Dell desktop with no issue about needed separate driver packs. But, think would need to make sure to update with most current bios.

I'm actually awhile away from making the switch to a "new" PC, but the price was well worth what I was willing to pay, so sprung at the chance, even if the PC sits in my closet for months. An offer I couldn't refuse.

The 8 gb memory modules alone are worth the price you paid.

 

[easysurfer]

The 8 gb memory modules alone are worth the price you paid.

Definitely. Plus, the processor not too shabby either .

 

[easysurfer]

The 8 gb memory modules alone are worth the price you paid.

Here's another, make offer price of $69.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optip...rentrq:0401907b1630ad783e9c0633fffa0509|iid:1

 

[aja8888]

Here's another, make offer price of $69.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optip...rentrq:0401907b1630ad783e9c0633fffa0509|iid:1

These are great deals. Just add a SSD and OS and you are on your way. For WIN OS, the service tag is on the top of the case so all one would have to do is download all the MB and other drivers from Dell. Since I was a MS certified vendor at one time, I have a few unused OS's (WIN 7, XP) around which are loadable. Still has me thinking...

My current desktop is one of my builds from 2007 or so. DW has an aging Dell I got for free somewhere.

Seems like I just use my Chromebook for most things now that I am a certified bum these days, though.

 

[easysurfer]

Could be with Linux. Sometimes audio and video cards may be a problem. I have only loaded Ubuntu on a laptop a time or two so I don't have much experience there. I have built 100's of WIN machines when I ran my old service business. But that was 10 years ago.

Haven't received my "new" machine yet. Should arrive early in the week.

I'm in the process of downgrading my current Win machine as I want to use some of the better parts (power supply, hard drive, DVD burner) from this machine in the "new" machine.

Last night, I tried with the graphics cards. I have two of different brands. Was hoping to take out the one on my current Win machine, pop in another and save the one for my current machine for my future Linux machine. But, couldn't get the drivers to work on my win machine.

After several attempts, machine still wouldn't see the card.

So, I gave up but went ahead and took out my HDDs and replaced with a blank HDDs and did a quick test install of my favorite Linux distro to see if the graphics card recognized. Yep, no problem. As the saying goes, "The writing is on the wall" as to what my future machine will be.

 

[ejman]

Haven't received my "new" machine yet. Should arrive early in the week.

I'm in the process of downgrading my current Win machine as I want to use some of the better parts (power supply, hard drive, DVD burner) from this machine in the "new" machine.

Last night, I tried with the graphics cards. I have two of different brands. Was hoping to take out the one on my current Win machine, pop in another and save the one for my current machine for my future Linux machine. But, couldn't get the drivers to work on my win machine.

After several attempts, machine still wouldn't see the card.

So, I gave up but went ahead and took out my HDDs and replaced with a blank HDDs and did a quick test install of my favorite Linux distro to see if the graphics card recognized. Yep, no problem. As the saying goes, "The writing is on the wall" as to what my future machine will be.

Windows can certainly be very stubborn at times. I tried to install a second Hard drive in my HP 6300 with Win 10. Bios would recognize the 2nd HD no problem but it was nowhere to be found using disk management. I finally gave up and used the second HD in an outside enclosure thru a USB connection.

Kept researching and finally, a month or so latter I read a reference to a problem with assignment of drive letters (C, D Etc). It turns out that the way the PC was originally shipped the 1st HD is C and the optical drive is D. Apparently Windows was not smart enough to assign the letter E to the 2nd HD so as far as it was concerned it didn't exist. I then tried reassigning the optical drive to E so the second HD would be D - no dice. Windows only recognized the 2nd HD when I changed the optical drive to G - crazy

BTW I test booted with a linux mint stick and of course no problem recognizing the Hard drives ( and everything else for that matter)

 

[easysurfer]

A quick update. Had a chance to plug in my "new" computer today.

I still have to fix up like swapping with a better power supply. But pretty nice.

Computer up and running, plus I picked up a LCD monitor for $5 today at Goodwill .

 

[ejman]

A quick update. Had a chance to plug in my "new" computer today.

I still have to fix up like swapping with a better power supply. But pretty nice.

Computer up and running, plus I picked up a LCD monitor for $5 today at Goodwill .

Glad to hear things are going well. That's quite a deal you found. Did you end up installing Linux? Which Distro?

 

[easysurfer]

Yes, installed with Linux.

Linux Lite 3.8 distro which is a good one for transitioning away from windoze

I may install again in a few months though as Linux Lite 4.0 should be out and may have more features.

Time is on my side as this computer is for when Window 7 support ends, I don't plan on getting on the train for Win 10. That isn't until 2020.

 

[easysurfer]

Decided For Good This Time!

Okay, finally decided what I will do for my next computer.

I said that my next main computer "will" be Linux, but I really meant to say "will not" .

Kidding aside, as much as this pains me to say, my computer use is too much Windows dependent, so, I'm going to give Win 10 a try with the option in the future that if that becomes a headache, to move to Linux then. No matter what, I'm going to use both. Just a matter of which is primary and which is secondary.

Ten reasons why sticking with a primary Win machine:

1) Auto backups - have software to automatically make backups at night while I sleep. There are some backup software in Linux, but haven't that easily backs up to a separate drive

2) Taxes - I'm old fashioned that I like installing Turbotax on desktop. No Linux version

3) Garmin Map Updates - No Garmin map update software for Linux

4) Dymo Labeler - No Linux version for my label printer

5) Lightscribe CDs - I use a program that etches onto Lightscribe CDs. None or at least no good one I found on Linux

6) Scanner - Couldn't get the scanner on my printer/scanner/copier to work with Linux

7) One click - BOOM - password created - When I need a password, I use a program that one click on the quick launch bar returns a complex password ready to use. Can't find a password program as quick in Linux

8) One click - BOOM - budget program - One click on quick launch bar opens a simple budget program that I swear by. Can't find a Linux budget program as simple that doesn't try to do too much. Could run budget program in a virtual machine. But the extra time and effort could get old really fast.

9) Epic Browser - Like epic browser for Win that has built in VPN. I know, Opera is an option but I like Epic

10) Password Manager - I prefer the look and feel of the password manager I use on Win. Though the cross platform KeePassXC is a very close second.

Windows 10 is still on probation for me. But can't I hate it til I really give an honest try. Who knows, some things my surprise me.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it (at least for now ).

 

[Blueskies123]

My last computer came with windows 10 and I have had zero problems.

 

[easysurfer]

Well, then I got to thinkin'
Man I'm really sinkin'
An I really had a flash this time
I had no business leavin'
An nobody would be grievin'
If I just went on back to Tulsa time.

-- From "Tulsa Time" written by Danny Flowers. Sung by Don Williams and several others.

Just pulled the trigger and ended up buying a computer with Win 10 Pro already installed. This should keep me busy for awhile.

I'm about a year ahead of schedule .