[GTALUG] Advice -- Building Debian 8 PC To Replace Win XP PC;

Giles Orr gilesorr at gmail.com
Mon Jul 25 11:49:41 EDT 2016


On 25 July 2016 at 10:47, Steve Petrie, P.Eng. via talk <talk at gtalug.org> 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 hi at gtalug.org and Myles
> Braithwaite responded instantly with helpfull suggestions for which I was
> very grateful. Myles also encouraged to join the talk at gtalug.org 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.

My suggestions:
- build it yourself.  If you're comfortable mucking around inside a
PC, you already have the skills.  From my first build I think the only
thing that got somewhat alarming was having to get and apply thermal
paste to the main processor, and getting the clips on the processor in
place.  It's a very good way to get to know the PC, and you'll do a
better build than any paid tech because it's _yours_.
- if you really need the dial-up modem, install it (although I suspect
Linux support is poor - check it thoroughly).  Otherwise, don't bother
with it.
- you didn't mention a video card.  If the motherboard has one onboard
and you're planning to use that, the power supply sounds like overkill
(even given the later addition of SCSI stuff ... which I'd suggest
avoiding if you can, it's another justifiably dying breed like the
modem).  Buy a smaller capacity (500W?) and better power supply ...
although I admit I'm going on years-old memories, EVGA wasn't one of
the best suppliers "back in the day".  Something for you to research a
bit more perhaps.
- BluRay support on Linux is ... limited.  You can probably use it for
backup, but you won't be able to play back commercial movies.  You
might use it under Windows.
- go with 16G of memory if you can afford it: it's not critical, but
you'll probably enjoy it - and it will help a lot with running VMs.
But it's also the easiest thing to upgrade later.

-- 
Giles
http://www.gilesorr.com/
gilesorr at gmail.com


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