New Computer And Linux.

Hikeeba · November 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">Recommendations?</div> I now have some money, no time for NS now, but money(Odd. That rocks while it sucks.) Anyway, I'm now trying to decide on a new PC. Preferably one that isn't integrated in every way imaginable. I still need cheap though. I'm looking at the lower-end Dell's right now.

Does anyone here have a Dell? If so, do they use good hardware? Have you upgraded it? Have you had any issues show up while doing so? And, does anyone know exactly what modem they put in?

Now for the Linux part, is anyone here running NS on a Linux box? The client, not the server. I don't want to move to WindowsXP if I can avoid it. Until I can get Win2k, I intend to turn any new machine I get into a Linux box.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

FlatlineUTD · November 2002

You'd probably be better off getting a PC made from a smaller manufacturer, not a large one like Dell. They tend to be cheaper, and usually have more of a variety of parts. As much as I hate to say it, building your own computer isn't as much better than buying a retail system than it has been in the past. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='confused.gif'>

As for Linux, I don't think you can run HL in Linux. I'd recommend making a dual boot system:

Get 2 hard drives, or one really large one. Divide into 3 partitions - one for a Windows OS (in NTFS), one for a Linux OS (in ext3), and the remaining partition into FAT32. Put your files on the FAT32 partition - that way both OSes can access your files. Make sure to make a swap partition that's at least equal to the amount of RAM you've got in your system.

<a href='http://www.redhat.com' target='_blank'>http://www.redhat.com</a> has a whole appendix in their new Red Hat 8.0 documentation on setting up a dual-boot system. The closest you'll be able to find from Microsoft is how to remove Linux and install Windows. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tounge.gif'>

kanseri · November 2002

I don't have Dell's computer, but they are really expensive, and what I've heard the price/quality isn't good.
They can be though upgraded pretty good, and Dell offers On-Site-Guarantee.
But still I wouldn't buy a Dell.

Dezmodium · November 2002

i know a few poeple with dells and a few poeple with gateways (me)

i have to say that if you were going to choose from the 2.... get a gateway.

because at least through them you will get a garaunteed 100% un modified OS. but with dell you have to use their OS that they send you... which is modified by them.... which can have probs.... especially if you ever want to upgrade it.... and one of my friends bought a refurbed comp from them and it was the most bugged/ messed up computer ive ever seen

TikiTorchBob · November 2002

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Now for the Linux part, is anyone here running NS on a Linux box? The client, not the server. I don't want to move to WindowsXP if I can avoid it. Until I can get Win2k, I intend to turn any new machine I get into a Linux box.
</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
If you're planning on gaming, don't get Linux. Linux isn't a great desktop OS, it's <b><i>much</i></b> more useful as a server OS.

But you probably knew that <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'>

To answer your question - I doubt that NS would work on Linux, I don't think HL even runs on Linux.

Hikeeba · November 2002

It is starting to look like a dual boot will be my best option. I know Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and a few other mods will run under WINE, but NS is the only mod I care about playing. I'll keep Windows around until I can test NS under WINE. Gaming actually isn't that big a priority for me. A stable system I can use to get work done is. Flatline, thanks for the heads-up.

As for who to buy from, it looks like Dell is off my list. They have some decent systems for under 1k, but if that's what I can expect, forget them. Gateway is too expensive for what I consider a decent system. I've been looking at Falcon's Talon line and Totally Awesome Computers as well. Both seem to offer a lot of bang for the buck. Which is good. Aside from Voodoo and Alienware which are way too expensive, they're the only other smaller companies I know off. If ayone else has any other suggestions, I'm more than happy to listen.

Legionnaired · November 2002

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Hikeeba @ Nov 16 2002, 04:36 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>It is starting to look like a dual boot will be my best option. I know Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and a few other mods will run under WINE, but NS is the only mod I care about playing. I'll keep Windows around until I can test NS under WINE. Gaming actually isn't that big a priority for me. A stable system I can use to get work done is. Flatline, thanks for the heads-up.

As for who to buy from, it looks like Dell is off my list. They have some decent systems for under 1k, but if that's what I can expect, forget them. Gateway is too expensive for what I consider a decent system. I've been looking at Falcon's Talon line and Totally Awesome Computers as well. Both seem to offer a lot of bang for the buck. Which is good. Aside from Voodoo and Alienware which are way too expensive, they're the only other smaller companies I know off. If ayone else has any other suggestions, I'm more than happy to listen.</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
I'm running WinME right now (ick), and it's solid as a rock. Good components, and I built it myself.

The plus side is you can put a computer together more much less than anyone can build it for you, and seeing from your venturing into Linux, I'll assume you're not a moron who deletes his explorer.exe to 'fix' his computer, and should be able to put one together just fine.

There are some pretty nice guides on how to build one floating around online, and it's not that hard. Shouldn't take more than 3 hours for your first system, even with a father afraid of technology breathing down your neck, making sure you don't screw up, even though he doesn't know what the hell is going on..... But I'm not bitter.....

Check <a href='http://tweak3d.net/articles/howtobuildapc/' target='_blank'>http://tweak3d.net/articles/howtobuildapc/</a>

And when it comes time to order your parts, I cannot reccomend <a href='http://www.newegg.com' target='_blank'>http://www.newegg.com</a> enough.

FlatlineUTD · November 2002

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>The plus side is you can put a computer together more much less than anyone can build it for you, and seeing from your venturing into Linux, I'll assume you're not a moron who deletes his explorer.exe to 'fix' his computer, and should be able to put one together just fine.</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

This really isn't the case anymore, unfortunately. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='sad.gif'> Buying a system from a small retailer (like IMS) is typically equal to or less than the cost of building it yourself. While making your own used to be the best method, it's starting to even out.

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>And when it comes time to order your parts, I cannot reccomend <a href='http://www.newegg.com' target='_blank'>http://www.newegg.com</a> enough.</td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>

Damn straight. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'>

New Computer And Linux.

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