I'll give opposite advice from the rest. Stay with Windows.
- Windows comes free with all retail computers, fully configured.
If you're used to XP, then you'll have short (if at all) learning
curve to 10.
- Components you list below, all come with Windows driver.
- Windows has virtualizations -- Hyper-V and VirtualBox. So, you can
run Linux if you like.
- MS-Windows and MS-Office are standard that Linux fanboys are
trying to copy. Open/Libre Office's reason for existence is to
promote MS-Office workflow, and prepare people for eventual
migration to MS-Office. By going with Windows, you're already
there.
As for hardware,
- I would advice against ASrock because of my previous experience
with them.
- If you already have SCSI, ok. But, buying a new SCSI?
- Intel i5 comes with heatsink and fan. Why buy third-party?
- For VM, you need 16GB+ ram. Ideally, 8GB should be enough (4GB for
host, 4GB for guest), but practice never turns out that way.
--
William
On Mon, Jul 25, 2016 at 10:47:58AM -0400, Steve Petrie, P.Eng. via talk wrote:
> Warm Greetings To GTALUG,
>
> Please forgive the long email. -- have to provide some background.
>
> BACKGROUND -- BUILDING DEBIAN 8 PC TO REPLACE WIN XP PC
>
> I'm working to replace an old Dell Windows XP SP3 PC with a new PC, booting
> Debian Linux 8 as the primary OS, with Win 7 set up to run under QEMU / KVM
> vbirtualization under Debian. A multi-boot setup will allow booting Windows 7
> (OEM) on bare metal, if required for occasional use. I definitely am NOT
> going to use MS Windows as the primary OS in my new desktop PC !!
>
> I have almost no Linux / Unix experience. Some years ago doing application
> programming on IBM AIX / Korn shell and now for personal and business uses,
> getting into Debian Linux (and DragonFlyBSD) on cloud-hosted QEMU / KVM
> virtualization servers. However I do have a strong IT background. (I'm a
> "retired" software engineer).
>
> On 7 January 2016 I sent an inquiry email to [email protected] and Myles
> Braithwaite responded instantly with helpfull suggestions for which I was
> very grateful. Myles also encouraged to join the [email protected] mailing list
> and so now here I am.
>
> I'm looking for advice from GTALUG members on two issues:
>
> 1. Comments on my proposed PC configuration. I have already researched
> components and developed a detailed hardware configuration for the new PC.
> Please see below. This configuration is not yet published on
> ca.partpicker.com.
>
> 2. Advice on how to get the PC built from components, that I will purchase
> retail and supply to the builder. Here, one option I propose is for a
> "creative" solution from GTALUG (see point 3, next section).
>
> * * *
> * * *
>
> HOW TO BUILD THE NEW DEBIAN 8 PC ?
>
> It seems to me that there are three approaches I could take, to get this new
> PC built:
>
> 1. BUILD IT MYSELF. I can handle purchasing all the components. However,
> although I am comfortable messing around inside the case of a computer, I've
> never build one from components. I would prefer to have the PC assembled by
> more experienced hands that have the skills and use of the right tools. So
> building myself is a last resort.
>
> 2. USE A COMMERCIAL PC SYSTEM BUILDER. Any suggestions from mailing list
> participants, on commercial PC builders would be gratefully received.
> However, I do not want to have to deal with import hassles, so the builder
> must be operating in Canada.(preferably in the GTA)
>
> Problem: It seems it will be difficult to interest commercial PC bulders in
> Canada to supply a competitively-priced PC configured with Linux. So if I use
> a commercial builder, the plan would be to get the PC built and delivered
> with with Windows 7 only installed, but have a multi-boot setup. After I get
> the PC I will install Debian 8 Linux as the primary host operating system,
> and then install Win 7 to run under QEMU / KVM virtualization under Debian.
>
> 3. *** CREATIVE IDEA FOR GTALUG *** Perhaps there is a member (or members) of
> GTALUG who would be able to build the PC from comnponents I supply. Naturally
> I would be happy to pay a fee for this service Or (and this would be my
> preference) perhaps GTALUG would be interested in taking on the buuild
> project as a club project. I expect I would be much more happy to pay money
> to GTALUG for helping with the build, and to get the pleasure of working with
> GTALUG, than I would be paying and dealing with a commercial builder. Since I
> live in Oakville in a small apartment, it would make more sense for the build
> to happen in Toronto.
>
> >From my casual research, there are many Win XP "orphans" like me out there.
> >Not only older-type people stuck on Win XP and wondering what to do before
> >their old PC dies. But also there are plenty of small businesses still
> >running XP (in fact there are probably more small business XP users left,
> >than consumer XP users).
>
> You could consider me in a sense, a "poster senior" for a class of people,
> among whom some could possibly go the Linux route as they migrate away from
> Win XP. If only these poster seniors (or small business Win XP "orphans") had
> a helping hand from e.g. GTALUG. For example, run a kind of GTALUG "clinic"
> that Win XP "orphans" could come to (for a fee) and there work with GTALUG
> members to get their Linux PC built. And later get their data (e.g. emails)
> converted over to e.g. Thunderbird.
>
> Just a thought, for a way that GTALUG could get more involved with the wider
> community. And perhaps also pull in some club revenue to support GTALUG
> initiatives. Perhsps this is an idea the GTALUG Board could consider. I am
> happy to discuss the idea of being the "guinea pig" for such a project.
>
> * * *
> * * *
>
> PROPOSED PC CONFIGURATION
>
> Thsi is decidedly NOT a gamer's PC. It is intended to be an ultra-reliable,
> powerful, fast professional / small business workstation . There is no
> overclocking. There are no add-in graphics cards. It uses established CPU
> technology now being price-discounted because of the introduction of new CPU
> technology.
>
> -----------------
> -----------------
> CPU Intel 4-Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Processor, 64-bit, 6 MB
> cache, max 32 GB RAM, HD graphics;
> CPU Cooler Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler, height w/fan 158mm,
> clears RAM & PCIe, PWM control;
> Motherboard ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Mainboard, PCIe: 2x
> 3.0x16, 1x 2.0x16, 2x 2.0x1, 1x mini,
> Ultra M.2 Gen3 8Gb/s x4 (uses 4x PCIe 3.0 CPU socket
> lanes), extra large heat sinks;
> Memory Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600
> RAM, 1.35 volt, timings 8-8-8-24;
> -----------------
> Case Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case,
> 3-speed fan control (max 3 fans),
> bays: fan 9, drive: 2x5.25", 8x3.5", 2xSSD, CPU cooler
> height max 180mm, 2 dust filters;
> Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified
> Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply;
> -----------------
> Solid State Drive Samsung SM951 128GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive, AHCI
> PCIe Gen3 8Gb/s x4, 256 MB cache,
> P/N MZHPV128HDGM;
> Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar Blue Internal Hard Drive 750GB
> 3.5" 7200RPM 6Gb/s SATA 64MB cache;
> Optical Drive LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer, SATA, 2/3/4 layers
> (128GB), 4MB data buffer;
> -----------------
> Video Monitor LG 22MB35DM-I 21.5" Monitor Full HD 1080p 1920x1080 IPS
> LED Back-lit, DVI-D, D-Sub,
> contrast ratios: (static 1,000:1), (dynamic 5M:1),
> reader mode, flicker-safe;
> Keyboard Dell SK-8110 PS/2 Keyboard, PS/2 Interface, Black, DP/N
> 07N242, 104 keys,
> cable with purple 6 pin mini-DIN male (PS/2 STYLE)
> connector;
> Mouse Logitech SBF-96 PS/2 Wired Optical Mouse, 3 Buttons,
> wheel,
> cable with green 6 pin mini-DIN male (PS/2 STYLE)
> connector;
> -----------------
> Dialup Modem US Robotics USR5638 56K* V.92, internal dial-up faxmodem
> card,
> (PCIe) PCI Express x1;
> -----------------
> -----------------
> Multi-Boot
> Main Host OS O/S Debian 8 LXDE Linux -- x86_64 (QEMU / KVM host o/s
> to Win7 x86_64 guest o/s);
> ISO on DVD (standard Debian installation ISO **NOT
> LIVE installation ISO**);
> Guest OS Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full, 32/64-bit,
> from ISO on DVD (guest o/s of Deb8);
> Emergency OS Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Full, 32/64-bit, ISO on
> DVD (emergency multi-boot);
> -----------------
> -----------------
> Cables @@@???
> Power Bar @@@???
> -----------------
> -----------------
>
> The same configuratiton is attached as a PDF <ca.pcpartpicker.com --
> deb8_win7_dual-boot_PC_business_24_7_duty - summary_bare - Steve_Petrie -
> 20160313.pdf>.
>
> For simplicity, I have omitted mention of: a SCSI controller, and a SCSI tape
> drive, and speakers. All of which I will acquire later, after the base PC is
> working.
>
> * * *
> * * *
>
> Many thanks to list members for taking the time to consider my email.
>
> Comments, questions welcome: 1. On the proposed PC configuration, 2. On the
> idea of GTALUG helping with the build project.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Steve
>
> * * *
>
> Steve Petrie, P.Eng.
>
> ITS-ETO Consortium
> Oakville, Ontario, Canada
> (905) 847-3253
> [email protected]
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