New Computer - Recommendations

6/21/2006 | Self

[Lexinom]

Our household needs a new computer system. Your ideas/suggestions are appreciated!

I realize some of this may not be possible, but here's a list of what we would like:

* This computer should boot quickly, in a matter of a few seconds. * This machine should not attempt to "help" with everything, or offer "tours" * This machine should do exactly what I, the user, command it to, immediately, and without trying to help. * No extras should be loaded. * The CPU should be able to last for 20 years or longer, and the drives should be redundant (mirrored). * It should be possible to boot into a bare-bones "DOS" mode, with NO GRAPHICS, no pre-emptive multitasking, etc. * It should be quiet. * Nothing besides the bare bones operating environment /operating system should ever be loaded unless I expicitly install it.

Here is what we do NOT like:

* A machine that takes more than 15 seconds to boot (inexcusable with today's hardware). * Extreme speed i.e. lower CPU lifespan. 1-2GHz should be MORE than sufficient. * Noise from fans. * Extreme graphics - no games. * Extraneous unwanted programs that come with the O/S - bare bones only. * Commercial/marketing stuff loaded onto the system. * An operating system that tries to "help" with everything. * A machine that refuses to turn off instantly but second-guesses user commands. When I say "off" by flicking the power switch, I MEAN NOW, not thirty seconds from now.

Any thoughts?

[ShadowAce]

That's SWEET!

If you opt for one of those, let me know how it works for you. I'm seriously thinking of getting one for myself.

[js1138]

I don't think that fits the definition of "a few seconds", though - I hear "a few" and it sounds to me like he's shooting for under ten seconds, and preferably under five.

I've built Windows XP machines that boot in under 10 seconds. It takes longer after you install virus scanners and programs, but the goal seems to be to boot to a command line. I don't personally know how to make this the default, but I bet it's possible.

Fast booting requires a fast drive, and the WD Raptors are still the champs at booting. I believe there are memory based drive emulators that would boot faster.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Your requirements are possible to meet but it will take some intervention on your part. Out of the box, they are all set up to "help" you.

You will need to change many settings and manually terminate the automatic updating and other "features".
I have done this on many systems and it takes about an hour to do.

[Lexinom]

I think I just have really bad luck. The cache in question is not the hard drive cache for Internet objects you're thinking of, but rather actual hardware fabricated onto the CPU board - extremely fast, expensive memory (usually from 64 to 512 kilobytes, not megabytes) from which instructions are executed at 1.8Ghz (or whatever your processor speed). I believe that part of the CPU chip overheated and damaged individual transistors. Otherwise my remedies should have worked.

Instructions are not executed at that speed from your regular 256MB, or 1GB, or whatever of main RAM, which is slower and cheaper. They are fetched from main RAM the first time they are executed and then, upon successive loop executions, another part of the cache "knows" that that particular memory is already copied and thus run out of the fast cache RAM. Without the cache, our machines would top out at 333Mhz, or 500 Mhz, or whatever the current limit is.

Thanks.

[Lexinom]

Will do.

Great tagline, BTW. I'm moving more into the Linux camp the longer I stick with W******s.

[ShadowAce]

There are a few Linux users on FR. When you feel ready to make the leap (or even to just explore your options), let me know. I'll be more than happy to help.

[ThePythonicCow]

If I were worried about longevity, I'd go with a standard size PC case, and add a PC Power & Cooling Ultra-Quiet Power Supply (for an economical, quiet supply) or one of their Turbo-Cool power supplies, for a more heavily equipped box.

The power supply in my ASUS PUNDIT looks like a piece of cheap crapola, and runs rather warm for being so low powered. No way it's going to last 20 years. And it's an odd sized chasis, so the power supply will be more difficult to replace. This met my needs, but doesn't sound like your current needs.

Keeping things cool is the key to a long life.

[Uri’el-2012]

Get Root !

[grey_whiskers]

Get an old Cray-2.

Or better yet, a C-90.

Stay away from the Control Data Cyber 205, it sucketh.

Or for less intense work, a VAX 11/780.

Cheers!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here is another Linux Distro that I am trying to download at the moment, Slackware based, and I like the attitude of the developers....

Ultima Linux 8.0.1 is finally here, source code and all!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Check out this funny thread, nasty comments aimed at Windoze:

Ultima Linux slows to a crawl after opening about 40 program

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good review with many screen-shots here:

Ultima Linux: Third Time's a Charm?

[Lexinom]

Ah, so many choices. I think I'm pretty much sold on Linux at this point. This one looks good too. The Mac is probably a great product, but I have longstanding prejudices against Apple going back twenty years that prevent me from supporting them any longer. I respect Mac users though.

Won't have time to fool with it this weekend though. I'm going to be heads-down getting a demo out for a customer this weekend - maybe our big break, so if I don't respond I'm not ignoring anyone.

Thanks all for the suggestions. This thread is bookmarked.