Hardware Recommendations For Internet Cruiser Running Linux

[Computer Hobbyist]

Our 21 year old daughter lives with us while attending the local college. She is a facebook user of the first order and has a really bad habit of picking up computer viruses and related spyware. Her laptop is a mess. I want to set her up with something she can use for all of her social networking, but I don't want to waste my time cleaning up her viruses so I am thinking Linux. Ubuntu 10.04 looks interesting. I have one problem. The box has to be able to run on my wireless network. I don't want to run cable.

Any ideas for a cheap box that would run Ubuntu over a wireless network. I don't need to spend a lot of money, just something that would let her cruise the internet.

I have built a number of computers over the years, just nothing since 2007. I have never had much luck with Linux and wireless.

[whubbard]

Most wireless cards have worked for me, but here is the official list:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wi...CardsSupported

Any cheap build + cheap card should do just fine with Ubuntu. Fast, clean, reliable.
I personally use windows 7 but always carry a flash drive with Ubuntu preloaded. It has saved me on many occasions.

-West

[The Other Steve]

You might like to try the Ubuntu Live CD before committing to a new build. That setup will probably be quite a bit slower, but you may also be able to answer your wireless question.

I have one other tip, and I have been going back and forth on mentioning it. I guess I am going to. Hope you won't take offense. You know, for whatever it's worth:

I had a similar issue last year. The, uhhh, "beloved individual" kept having this same problem, over and over, and I kept having to advise and research and get tools and advise and fix things. Beyond annoying, as it seemed a clear case of "Again?! Will you ever learn?!" So I drew a line. Helped one last time, pointed out all the previous times, wrote a list of all the sensible precautions (don't browse with Admin account, check downloads with AV, look at sideadvisor's report, use Firefox with NoScript, keep regular backups, ...) and let them deal with every last dreary detail when they didn't listen and it all happened again. If you keep bailing out the behavior, will it change?

[glc]

For cheap, I'd go to the Dell small business site and get a Vostro 230 n-series minitower with FreeDOS and install Linux on it. $278 plus $42 for a Dell 1525 wireless-N card.

Another cheap option would be a netbook.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Good ideas all. I haven't built a new machine in the last few years because I haven't really seen the cost benefit. A basic machine can be had for less than any reasonable build. My biggest reason for builiding now is I want to learn a little about current technology. I came back to this site and found that technology has changed. There is a whole new vocabulary.

As to Ubuntu, while the other machines on my home network are a mixture of Windows XP and Windows 7, I have used Ubuntu on my personal home desktop for many years. I have no illusions about Linux. I was an early adopter. By the way, carrying Ubuntu on a flash drive is a great idea. It can come in real handy in a lot of situations.

I have found Linux to be good at some things, but not so good with some basic nuts and bolts. (Something to do with the mental make up of Linux enthusiasts, I imagine.) You have no idea how much time I have spent over the years trying to convince some old Linux machine or other to run a simple printer. Wireless is one of those tasks Linux hasn't been able to fully solve after over a decade of trying. The current iteration of Ubuntu (10.04) is said to be full of social networking eye candy. Looking at the Ubuntu user forums it is pretty clear that Linux still hasn't fully mastered wireless. It is better than in the past, but not perfect.

As to cutting her off, I probably should, but I neglected to mention that her old Windows XP desktop died recently. After years of devoted service (I built it when she was in high school) the MOBO went down, and wont wake up. The death wasn't virus related. It would be nice to replace that machine with something I could just forget about. Frankly, my only reason for thinking about Ubuntu is that it is really hard to catch a virus on a machine running Linux. I am tired of spending Saturdays cleaning off the stuff the anti-virus and anti-spy ware have missed.

[glc]

Current technology Intel (Core i) is difficult to build cheap. AMD is a lot easier. However, I can recommend a serviceable Intel build using previous tech (Socket 775):

Case of choice - maybe reuse the one from the dead XP box?

PSU: Antec Basiq BP350 350W ATX12V v2.01 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371003

Motherboard: ASUS P5G41T-M LE LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131622

CPU: Intel Celeron E3300 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116264

Ram: Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT12864BA1067
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148148

Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136113

Optical: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

That should be in the mid $200's if you reuse the case and peripherals.

[Computer Hobbyist]

The prices are just shy of $250, which is pretty good.

I have always used either ASUS or Intel boards. Looking at the Newegg reviews I notice a lot of complaints. Has ASUS quality gone down hill?

[Nikon]

in my experience, with linux mint, after installed has now more issues with wireless connectivity than a windows machine. beware: for some reason, when running off of the live cd, it will not connect properly. it will still detect and attempt to connect, but it just wont. this is a known issue with live cd.

[Computer Hobbyist]

I installed a D-Link USB (DWA 130) adapter on an Ubuntu machine the other day and had the same problem. The XP driver would load up in the Ndiswrapper. It would search the neighborhood for wireless routers. I would select mine, enter the encryption key but it would never quite connect. Since it sees the router and tries to connect, my guess is that the problem has something to do with how the encryption key is being broadcast by the adapter or is being received by the router. Like I said, Linux has some real issues with nuts and bolts.

[glc]

I don't think Asus quality has gone down, but I gave up on Intel boards several years ago because they were starting to have problems. Anyway, both Asus and Intel have several entry-level Socket 775 boards with Intel chipsets, some take DDR2 and some take DDR3. The one I linked takes DDR3. You may want to check all possibilities out. The chipsets with onboard graphics are G3x and G4x. I'd also recommend verifying CPU compatibility at the Asus and Intel sites.

I don't know whether a USB or PCI wireless adapter would serve you better. Best thing to do is start researching Linux compatibility and experiences.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Oddly my daughter came to me this evening and asked me nicely if I would clean up her laptop again. Apparently she is getting ready for classes this fall. She agreed to follow my advice and practice safe computing. I spent the last couple of hours cleaning it up. It wasn't as bad as it has been in the past. No really serious viruses, just a bunch of crappy spyware and limewire. Got rid of all that, closed the firewall, defragged, cleaned up the files, got rid of the old expired anti-virus, downloaded all the needed security updates, ran an online anti virus (housecall), and installed a new anti virus program. So far it is running as fast as it was when new. I will take it in to the repair shop tomorrow and have them install a new space bar. I never could say no to my little girl.

All that said, I still think I am going to build that low end cruiser glc posted. Two fifty isn't all that much for a solid computer. It will replace the old Barton pretty nicely. If history repeats itself she will use it more than she uses the laptop.

[glc]

For comparison, you can go with current technology by replacing the motherboard, CPU, and ram with these:

ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131623

Intel Core i3-530 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115222

Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT12864BA1339
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148194

The only reason for the different ram is this - DDR3 Socket 775 boards do not benefit from anything faster than 1066 but the Socket 1156 boards run at 1333 and higher. If you decide on a DDR2 Socket 775, DDR2-800 would be appropriate. Note that going with the 1156 increases the cost considerably but there's a lot more room for a future upgrade and the Core i3 will just slaughter the Celeron, if you care.

[Computer Hobbyist]

The 350 watt power supply is still adequate?

[whubbard]

It's pushing it...

I'd probably spend the extra $15 just to be safe:
Corsair 450W ATX12V V2.2 $44.99 (With rebate)

Or at least get this PSU which is 50 more watts, but the same price:
Corsair 400W ATX12v V2.2 $29.99 (With rebate, also free shipping)

Corsair PSUs are top notch too.

[glc]

350 watts is plenty for onboard video but the price on that Corsair 400 is hard to argue with if you trust rebates.

[Computer Hobbyist]

I ordered the i3 based system glc recommended from NewEgg. I upgraded to the 400 Watt power supply. One of my motivations in this exercise is to experience newer technology. Three Hundred Seventy Five isn't too much to spend for the experience. I still have to figure out how to install and run WIFI on Linux, but I can always install XP or Windows 7 if necessary. Anyway WIFI is next weekend. Linux seems to do better with newer equipment than with worn out junk.

[gordintoronto]

I have a D-Link DWL-G510 PCI wireless card. I have tried dozens of distros/versions of Linux, with WEP (not recently) or WPA encryption. I've booted from various hard drives, LiveCDs, USB flash drives and external drives.

The wireless has connected every time. If you use supported hardware, "it just works."

[Computer Hobbyist]

I just got the hardware today. I suspect that my current problem has to do with the underpowered pile of junk I am trying to connect to the internet using the DWA-130 USB adapter. I think the precise issue is with the USB ports on the old board. I will assemble the new system tonight and if I have time will install ubuntu 10.04. I will probably have to wait until tomorrow night to mess with the D-Link adapter. I like to read the manual before starting to assemble so that might slow me down a little this evening.

I understand the pins are backwards from the old days, but the procedure for mounting the CPU is pretty much a mirror image of what I am used to. For me the hard part has always been connections for the off on switch, lights etc. I suspect those connections will be the only things slowing me down tonight. It's not like the old days.

Anyway if I can't get the adapter to work with Linux, I will go to plan Microsoft.

I have been reading all about Ubuntu and Cloud computing. I guess the people at Canonical are betting that the PC will be totally obsolete in 10 years. The world will again be owned by mainframes and serious men in white coats will again be the high priests of technology. I guess that back to the future is the new meaning of freedom.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Assembled the computer and have to report no joy. It seems light comes on, the fans start working, the drives give some indication of life, but no video at all. No system beeps telling me what's wrong.

The processor looked like it had a slight discoloration on one corner when I took it out of the box. That is the only unusual thing I could see. Anyway I will go over everything again tomorrow and see if I can get it to work. Otherwise i don't know what else to do.

[glc]

PROBLEMS with a NEW BUILD? Try This!!

Don't forget all the power connectors to the motherboard - 20+4 pin main and 8 pin aux. You need to pull the plastic plug out of the aux that's covering 4 of the 8 pins.

[Computer Hobbyist]

I did. It is in the book. Just about the last thing is a reminder to plug in the 8 pin aux. Let me plug them in again.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Here is a question. One of the pins on the 20 pin plug is empty. Looking at the Cleo I removed from the box, there isn't an empty pin. Is there an empty pin on the current 20 pin connector?

[glc]

Yes.

http://pinouts.ru/Power/atx_v2_pinout.shtml

Pin 20 is no longer used.

[Computer Hobbyist]

For me the question is whether I return the CPU, the Motherboard or both. My normal guess would be that the motherboard has a burned out capacitor or something similar, but I saw some discoloration on the chip when I opened the box so I am a little concerned that it was defective from the start. There is no obvious physical evidence of a defective board. No smoke or disccoloration.

What should I send back for replacement?

[glc]

Call Newegg and see what they think - they may tell you to send both back. If that's not an option, I'd do CPU first.

[Computer Hobbyist]

I will give them a call.

[Computer Hobbyist]

They will take both. Darn are they nice to work with. I guess it will be a few days before I figure out how the new GPU on a CPU idea works out.

[glc]

Darn are they nice to work with.

Yep, and this is a big reason they are so successful. Customer service.

I guess it will be a few days before I figure out how the new GPU on a CPU idea works out.

Not exactly a new idea. Remember the Cyrix MediaGX processor? This lives on today as the AMD Geode. That was both video and audio.