10/27 I want to buy a LINUX box. I don't need (or want) windows.
Any suggestions on online companies which sell LINUX boxes?
I could just use gateway or dell, but they charge me for windows
and the last time my company ordered something from Dell it had
some hardware that wasn't well supported by LINUX. Thanks.
\_ Dell sells machines preloaded with Linux these days.
\_ http://www.varesearch.com perhaps a little more high-end than most dells
but comes functional w/ linux. except they give you the normal
stupid soundcard that only does half-duplex w/ linux drivers,
so mbone multiconferencing doesn't work.
\_ I checked out VA Research, but for their prices I might
as well order from CompuUSA which is cheaper.
\_ Last time I checked CompUSA, they were selling Compaqs,
PackardBells and HPs. I don't know about HPs, but
Compaq Presarios and PackardHells are utter pieces of
crap and have problems even running windows, good luck
installing Linux one of those.. Seriously, though, check
out Micron and Dell websites, they make good systems
usually or build your own ..
\_ If you're running a linux box why are you paying more for someone
to pre-assembly it in a configuration that you won't be entirely
happy with? It is *very* easy to assemble a pc from parts today.
You'll get *exactly* what you want and not pay a dime to M$.
\_ Ok. If it is that easy maybe I'll try it. Do you have
any suggestions on where to buy the various pieces and
how to put them together? For example, when you buy a
motherboard and a hard drive, does either one come with a
manual telling you how to get them to work together? I'd
be happy to RTFM if I knew how to get my hands on one, but
"man motherboard" doesn't seem to work =).
\_ The problem with building your own machine is troubleshooting
it. A computer builder can at least make sure all the parts
work before giving you the machine. I like to work with
Central Computer: they'll build a machine to order for
you, and you can ask 'em not to install Windoze. Another
plus is you can go bring stuff back in person, if anything
is defective. --PeterM
\_ The stuff all comes with manuals. Mostly it's in English.
Pretty much each thing only fits one place in one way. The
red line on the HD (and floppy) data cable is pin #1. Do
it in a place with lots of light. It's pretty hard to totally
fuck up, but it may take an afternoon on your first time out.
Unless you've got money to burn and your time is incredibly
precious (or you're buying in bulk for a company), the self-
assembly thing is always a good bet. Do some price checks on
the net for the hardware/pieces you're looking for. Buy stuff
like the CPU/MB last. By the time you figure out what you
want for the rest of the system, cpu prices will have dropped
again.
\_ You should try http://www.computergate.com They have a fairly
broad selection of components at reasonable prices.
Certainly, you would be able to build a computer there.
\_ The first time is hard for everyone. You should do your
research, but here's a list to start you out.
ABIT BE6 motherboard Celeron 466 PPGA + "slocket"
IBM 9.1 GB UDMA/66 IDE HD adapter + PPGA fan
Intel i740 video card Creative Labs OEM 48x CD-ROM
Yamaha YMF724 PCI sound Side-paneled ATX mini-mid
card case
3Com ISA 56K Sportser Linux Mandrake 6.1 or
Yamaha YMF724 PCI sound ATX mini-mid case with side
card panels
3Com ISA 56K Sportser Linux-Mandrake 6.1 or
6.5 PowerPack
Get this sucker working first and then go SCSI or whatever
ya want. -jctwu
\_ ABIT BE6-2. i740 is trash. I'm pretty sure the ABIT is
an ATA/33 MB so the ATA/66 is a waste. Don't get ISA
cards for anything. What you should really do is decide
how much you feel like pissing away on a computer and get
the most bang for the buck in areas where you need it most,
be it video, sound, storage, cpu speed, etc. You may find
you don't even want certain things such as a soundcard or
modem if you're building a networked server box.
\_ the BE6-2 has one ISA slot. Both BE6's support
UDMA/66. The speed gain from not having any ISA cards
sounds reasonable, but is unproven, and I'd choose
2 ISA slots today. As for modem and sound card,
I'm not assuming the reader is so dumb to think they're
required cards. Also, I've had good experience
with the BE6 personally; have you had the same with
the BE6-2? The i740 is $35; I've got 3, and they all
work fine. Please tell me why it's trash. It's hard
to find a well-supported accelerated video card, but
I know RH Linux 6.1 supports it. As for deciding on
bang for the buck, that sounds all well and reasonable
so why am I providing the list above? Because they
all work with Linux, are fully tested, are cheap,
all work with Linux, are tested, are cheap,
and are a good starting point when you could be
all work with Linux, are tested, cheap, and
are a good starting point when you could be
buying high-powered stuff (a new video card) that
doesn't have driver support. -jctwu
\_ go to http://www.eis.com and get a preconfigured solaris x86 box
instead :-)
\_ Uh huh... "Quick! Spend big bucks on the slowest *nix
available!" I'd rather screw yermom.
\_ momma always says, "sometimes, slower
is better". Her customers agree!
\_ Slow on cheap machines. Faster & more stable
than linux on more expensive stuff (SCSI, MP, etc.)
\_ It's Solaris x86. I could run anything really
fast on "faster & more stable" hardware. sheesh.
\_ consider the MICROSTAR MS6120 440BX motherboard, does dual
PII/PIII.
\_ heck, consider the ABIT BP6. Does dual Celerons w/o
weird mods. A friend of mine set up NT with it last
week and it works fine on NT -jctwu
\_ try <DEAD>www.memoryshippers.com<DEAD> . local, great prices on celeron
+ motherboard.
\_ http://www.centralcomputer.com
\_ computer shows have great bargains.. http://www.robertaustin.com
they have Oakland shows every month or so...
\_ http://www.hitech-usa.com or walk over to shattuck ave.
\_ those assholes are the biggest jackasses in the world. pay
big bucks to have people treat you like shit. just go to the
oakland computer show. anything is better than that garbage.
\_ whine whine, bitch bitch.
\_ Do not go to hitech-usa.
\_ Dell also sells machines for more than they're worth
\_ Buy parts and assemble.
\_ Find someone we don't know about.
\_ Figure out what hardware you want, then spec it out and have
someone like Central Computer build it. It generally doesn't
cost any more than buying the parts and building it yourself,
and they'll burn it in for you and make sure it boots. Most
of the small local places that will configure you machines
will not charge you for Windows if you don't want it.
\_ Maybe you should consider FREEBSD or MACOS or another
ALLCAPS operating system. |
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