Re: Linux compatible hardware

From: Leonard Evens (len_at_math.northwestern.edu)
Date: 01/27/05 

Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2005 13:26:20 -0600

Roy Shimmyo wrote:
> Leonard Evens wrote:
>
>> Leonard Evens wrote:
>>
>>> I have to replace my current system, which is a dual boot Linux/Win
>>> 2K. I use it for general purpose computing but do quite a lot of
>>> digital photography. I need a system with a lot of memory and I
>>> would prefer two hard drives, one for Linux and one for Windows XP.
>>> Also, I have to be sure the video will work properly under Linux. In
>>> particular, I use xgamma (or a gamma setting in the X configuration
>>> file) to calibrate my monitor. I also need to be able to write to
>>> CDs for storing large digital files.
>>>
>>> I'm considering getting a Dell desktop system. I already have a Dell
>>> Inspiron 1100, which I did get working under Linux, but xgamma still
>>> doesn't work on it.
>>>
>>> I am running Fedora Core 2 on both my main machine and laptop.
>>>
>>> My current computer was purchased from QLITech, which appears no
>>> longer to exist. It has SCSI disks, a 1.4 GHz Athlon, and 1.5 Gb of
>>> ram. I would like more memory, but I probably don't need too much
>>> more speed. There don't seem to be many vendors who sell computers
>>> with Linux installed except for high end machines and servers.
>>>
>>> Any advice would be appreciated. I am pretty sure I can get it all
>>> to work on an appropriate Dell, but I would like to spend as little
>>> time as possible doing. If anyone out there has a setup roughly like
>>> mine which is working without problems,
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm looking at a Dell 4700. So here are some hardware questions.
>>
>> They come only with SATA drives. Would that be a problem?
>>
>> They don't have AGP slots but the newer replacement for that. The
>> available graphics cards, except for built-in are ATI Radeonx300 SE
>> with 128 Mb or nVidia Geforce 6800 with 256 Mb. Would either of
>> these work?
>>
>> They offer a DVD/CD reader together with a CD-RW drive. I don't know
>> which brands. I don't care if the DVD works with Linux, but I want
>> both to work as CD drives and the second to write under Linux. Any
>> comments?
>>
>> I spoke to a Dell sales rep, and he claimed he had RedHat working on
>> such a system, but I don't know if I should believe him.
>>
>> Again, any other suggestions would be helpful.
>>
>>>
>>> -----------------------------------
>>> Leonard Evens, len@math.northwestern.edu, 847-869-8537
>
>
> I would avoid Dell for a linux system unless it was for a business. Most
> Dells I have come across have built in video that has numerous conflicts
> with X especially if you want to install another video card. I built a
> system about 4 years ago that still feels remarkably fast running linux,
> and I expect it to for a while still. I would stick to older hardware,
> like IDE drives, and non-integrated AGP graphics if you want good linux
> support. Also check x.org for graphics support. I think you might be
> best off getting a new video card and a CD writer for your existing PC,
> rather than getting a whole new one. My PIII machine still runs great
> with linux.

I agree with what you say, but I think my machine has some sort of
subtle hardware problem, which I have been unable to track down, despite
my best efforts.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Sysinstall automatic filesystem size generation.
    ... much safer with the cache _enabled_, on most drives except the most ... >>advocates, typically against Linux users with journalled fs, on web ... points, even on consumer-grade hardware. ...
    (freebsd-stable)
  • Re: Win2k BOOT question
    ... problems, not hardware changes. ... You can easily add slaved drives, memory, expansion cards and even add processors, but changing the motherboard to something completely different is cause for a temper tantrum! ... For a bit I thought the Dell computer had settings ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.general)
  • Re: Linux compatible hardware
    ... > I use it for general purpose computing but do quite a lot of digital ... one for Linux and one for Windows XP. ... I already have a Dell ... They come only with SATA drives. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: Linux compatible hardware
    ... > I use it for general purpose computing but do quite a lot of digital ... one for Linux and one for Windows XP. ... I already have a Dell ... They come only with SATA drives. ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)
  • Re: Trouble in the Dell
    ... a Dell Dimension via the Symantec Dell ... or any mention of FAT32 drives. ... I would do hardware troubleshooting before messing about with software ... You really want to run hardware diagnostics outside of the operating system. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)