I have several computers all running Windows XP except for an older Compaq DC5750 Desktop which will become a HTPC. It's a decent machine with a Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 4GB DDR2, 1000 MHz FSB, 4 empty PCI slots, and is extremely quiet. So, I'm going to use this project to 'get my feet wet' before taking the plunge.
View 14 Repliespc specs
amd dual core 3.11ghz
4gb of ram
ati 4850 1gb
i took the distro test and both said that mandriva would be good for me, so ima try that and see how it works out. ima use it for djing, maybe some games but prolly not not sure yet, and other than that just basic web surfing, burning movies, and just normal tasks.
In linux we have various types(ubuntu,red hat,fedora,....etc) which one is best to install in laptop and can be used easily when compared to windows
View 5 Replies View RelatedI have a laptop HP Pavillion dv6000 Intel (R) Core (TM)2 CPU T5300 @ 1.73GHz. I saw online somewhere that this computer was not very compatable with one or two Distro's resulting in some of the hardware not working as there were no drivers. So I was wondering what distro would be best for me, being a bit of a novice, without me getting to lost and ensuring that the hardware will still function afterward
View 1 Replies View RelatedI'm trying to set up a machine to "drive" a piece of equipment (a metal plate embosser [kind of like a daisywheel printer for credit card sized pieces of metal], FWIW). What I ideally want is a linux distro that I can boot from CD (I think the term is Live CD?), log itself in as a user and display only a console. It needs to be able to support windows fileshares and python.
Essentially it needs to boot, connect to a single fileshare on a Win2k8 machine, and be able to execute a couple of scripts that will output to a serial port. One of them will be more or less the following:
wget http://WEBSITE/?<parameter passed to script> --quiet --output-document=<name of serial port>
The other is a somewhat more complicated Python script that processes a CSV spreadsheet and produces data for the machine.
I'm having a lot of trouble finding a good Linux Distro that will work with my Toshiba A505-S6020. Here are some specs
i5-430M Intel Processor
4 GB RAM
NVidia Graphics Card
Realtek Network Adapter
One of the big problems I'm having is with the Network Adapter. It won't work with Ubuntu or any Ubuntu based distros. Backtrack 4 won't even start for me (there's a problem with the ACPI, and I'm not sure how to turn it off on Backtrack). Is there any distribution that I won't have to mess with the Kernels too much (I tried Gentoo, but that was a bit over my head)
what would be a good distro for a lowly Dell Latitude CPi with a 400 MHz processor and 125 MB of memory? Somebody told me Zenwalk is good for the old slow ones.
View 11 Replies View RelatedI got an old laptop from my brother, it has ubuntu 6 on it right now. The computer is real old, complete with a windows 95 and pentium II sticker on it. I'd like to put a new install on this but first I would like to find out how to check the hardware specs like processor and ram so i can choose what to install. How can i do that?
View 9 Replies View RelatedI am looking to build a simple HTPC based on boxee, it is a very low power machine (2ghz P4, 1gb RAM, 1gb video card).
At present it has Win7 on it, but I want to run boxee as my media centre software (I love the watch later facility) and I was wondering what it would run best on?
If linux, what distro and why?
nominate a disastrous distro from past or present that was simply AWFUL and what exactly was so bad about it?
View 14 Replies View RelatedI am building a Home Theater PC. I know for sure I'm using Ubuntu, but what version?For one I have never put any type of Linux based anything on a computer. I have been told by countless friends that Ubuntu is my best choice for this and have used it on a pals pc. I like it.I did my research and came up with 3 main choices: Ubuntu Desktop, Xubuntu and Ubuntu Netbook Remix. (but not limited to those)The only reason I added the UNR is that I need something with a easy interface.
View 4 Replies View RelatedLubuntu is nice - but it seems the LXDE version is not as up to date as Fedora LXDE Spin or even Debian squeeze with LXDE installed. I do like Chromium on Lubuntu though... its faster and a nice touch. I am looking for a lightweight 64-bit distribution for my main laptop (it is by no means "old" or "low spec" but I like that Lubuntu starts up in like 2 secs).
LXDE version seems not to be recent (esp in 10.04 version which seems to work more stably for me - with Nvidia drivers etc)64 bit install is currently a pain - requires first install of minimal CD or alternate CD both of which required wired Ethernet, then install of lubuntu from PPA. Native 64-bit support would be nice. Linux Mint LXDE, for example, is also only 32-bit.
I have a custom built PC with a AMD 9650 2.3ghz quad core, 4gig of ram, nvidia geforce 9500gt graphics card. With windows 7 my movies look immaculate but I want that from Linux. My first problem consists of lines in my players. To test out the performance I am playing Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children Complete Blu-Ray. The video file has been ripped and placed on the HD. MPlayer has lines everywhere, VLC is very good but line every once in a while, XBMC plays bout as well as VLC. The first part that confused me was how MPlayer was worse off. I have followed all the stickies and this is a fresh install of ubuntu 9.10. The Second problem I am having is getting my onboard audio to work. My board comes with 8 channel audio support but my 2 side/back speakers wont work. I have messed with the application settings and the actual settings in Sound Preferences.
Here is a link to my board specs
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I'm trying to get an HTPC going, but I don't have any money to purchase a new computer. I have 2 desktops in my possession that I am trying to use: 1 is a 2.4 GHz with a 128 MB Radeon 9800 PRO video card (I think) and 1.5 GB RAM (the system is about 8 years old, but I built it top of the line for back then). The second system is a 3.2 GHz dual core with on board video and 2 GB RAM.The problem is, neither system will run 1080p video's without dropping hundreds of packets producing very choppy audio/video. I was wondering if it is possible to cluster these two systems together to harness both their processing power to run 1080p video? I would just jump in and attempt it, but as I have been reading, it looks like processes aren't actually shared across PC's, but auto determined which PC it will run on based on load, which is an issue since neither can cleanly run the 1080p video.
View 6 Replies View RelatedTell me what remote you have found works great running Mythbuntu, Boxee, etc.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI'm in the process of building a PC to run Ubuntu 10.04 and I want to use it (eventually) to with Direct TV. I just want to be able to use the PC as the DVR if possible. I'll accept the limitations, but I'm trying to do my homework to make it as easy as possible to use for my family.
I've started out with a BioStar M32 Micro ATX board and an Intel E5300 Dual Core Pentium 2.6Ghz processor, with 2Gigs of Kingston RAM. It runs pretty well, but I've got nothing installed yet (I'm dual booting with Windows Server 2003). Right now it's just in an old E Machines case with a new 500Gig toshiba SATA drive.
Is there a guide to what hardware I could get to work with Direct TV? Also, I'm not sure of what all is possible as far as integrating the two. If there is a guide, please let me know. Also, I would love to hear from anyone who is able to network or use Ubuntu with Direct TV.
I wonder if this is possible/easy/practical to do in Ubuntu: I want to have one computer serve two sets of monitors and inputs in two different (adjacent) rooms. The computer and one monitor will be in my office for desktop use, and a HDMI cable to my TV on the opposite site of the wall (I already have a hole for the cable) will serve HTPC content.
I assume I will need two videocards. But other than that, is this fairly straight forward, or is it difficult?
I am building an HTPC based on Mythbuntu and will also have a laptop running Windows.
I need some software that will provide two-way syncing between these machines:
1) Sync folders from HTPC to the laptop
As the laptop is new, all the media content I want to have on the laptop (music and photos) will be on the HTPC.
2) Backing up content from laptop to HTPC
New content (purchased music and photos) is likely to be added on the laptop initially so I'd therefore like to sync (instantly/automatically if possible) this back to the HTPC to make it available there as well.
Does anyone know of any good software to do this?
I'd originally been thinking of DropBox but, as I understand it, you have to use a DropBox folder however, on the HTPC, music and photos will be on different drives and it seems that putting symlinks inside the DropBox folder is not recommended.
This post also talks about using Ubuntu One. I think there's a Windows beta version available but does this sync between machines on a local network as I thought it was a cloud storage solution and I'm not looking to upload any content to the internet at this stage.
I'm very new to linux and would like to build a 64-bit file server to backup my pc and laptop, I would also like it to have HTPC capabilities because it will be stored in my "man cave", where me and mates seem to hang out a fair bit. I've never built an AMD system before and would like this build to be AMD.
This is what I've come up with so far:
64-bit system:
Case: Thermaltake V3 with 450W PSU
CPU: Athlon II x2 255 3.1GHz
Mobo: ASRock 880GXH-USB3
HDD: WD Green 500Gb for OS, 2x Samsung EcoGreen 2Tb for storage (one will be kept off site)
Memory: 1x Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 4Gb DDR3
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I'm not sure about all this being compatible with linux, like the tuner, but I have read that you can get this working. I'm on a pretty tight budget so I can't upgrade to higher end components, but would like suggestions on components where I could save a few $$ or if any of these components are overkill.
I'm looking at getting a Seagate Barracuda LP 2TB drive for my HTPC. However I was initially looking at the WD Cavier Green due to it's power saving features. Upon finding out about the Green's problems interacting with the Linux Kernel I have ditched the idea of getting a WD.
Does the Barracuda suffer from similar problems as the Cavier Green.Are there any problems at all with the drive and the kernel not playing nice together? Do I need to set anything in the kernel config to help enable power saving features of the drive so that when the PC is not in use the drive uses as little power as possible?
I'm planning on setting up a home file server. I was wondering what platform would be recommended for something like this. The server would be used mainly for media storage which would be shared between an HTPC and a couple desktops and laptops. I was thinking of just getting whatever motherboard had the most SATA headers on it (which currently seems to be something P55-based) and setting up a RAID5 fakeraid with some 1.5 or 2TB drives and the OS in RAID1 with whatever drives I have laying around. It there anything flawed with this approach? P55 boards with 10 SATA headers are currently upwards of $200, which is kind of pricey. Is there a more economical route that I should consider? Also, are there any known problems with setting up a fakeraid like this using certain motherboard's SATA controllers?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI am currently running Intel DG45fc Mobo. works great with Ubuntu thus far. However when connecting to my LCD through HDMI I can not receive any sound.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI recently acquired one of the new Acer nettops to have an HTPC in my living room running XBMC - basically because my Gen1 Xbox just can�t handle HD and 264 encoded content.
It works great, upscaling being the best thing about the upgrade. But I don�t have a proper remote control to operate it with; I know that Logitech�s Harmony models are great, and are on my to check list... but I wanted some ideas from the community... What option(s) works best? (Specially keeping a budget)
What kind of tuner I need. do I pick up ntsc, atsc, or something else? My cable comes from the wall to the tv, there is no box receiver.
I have had real bad luck with the acermedia duet and the hauppage hvr-1250. Aperently, the aver duet has 0 support and I can't get the hvr-1250 to work. I'm running mythbuntu 10.04. I can't even get avi's I downloaded to play in mythtv.
I have an HTPC with an onboard ATI video chipset but for hardware acceleration's sake, I installed a GeForce 9500GT video card. Everything works quite well, except for the overscan issue. I've installed the latest nvidia binary drivers (manually) but I don't see any options in nvidia-settings to solve this overscan issue.
Here is my xorg.conf file:
Code:
# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 260.19.21 (buildmeister@builder103.nvidia.com) Thu Nov 4 20:57:26 PDT 2010
Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0"
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I tried adding that ModeLine line myself (using xrandr and gtf) but that fails too. I've scoured the web and these forums, and I've seen some overscan issues reported but with no solution in sight.
I'm extremely new at Linux but managed to get Alsa .023 installed on my HTPC and sound working in xbmc. However, every 10-15 seconds when playing audio over HDMI, i get a short burst of static (maybe 0.5 seconds). The static does not interfere with the audio track. I have tried running my laptop using the same cable/tv/port and its fine (win7). Listening through the analog connection on the mobo with headphones produces no such noise. The noise happens with any audio such as ..... or xbmc.
Gigabyte UD3-H57 USB 3.0
Core i3 530
2GB Corsair 1333 DDR3
1TB WD Green
Running 10.04 Ubuntu
I have a linux box set up as a multi-purpose server for my home with three Windows client PC's. The linux box is based on a slightly modified Slackware 9.0 distribution using Linux 2.4.20 and an unfortinately old, slow AMD processor with a miserable 512Kb RAM. The linux box serves the CIFS file system to the Windows boxes, runs the SQUID HTTP proxy, the Apache web server, a print server, does masquerading, mail serving and a very effective firewall using iptables.
This system, although slow, has run perfectly for several years.Let me say that again - This system works perfectly.I had decided that now is the time to upgrade the hardware, so I bought a Gigabyte LGA775 motherboard which has two 1Gb network interfaces on it, an ASUS 256Mb PCI-E display card, 2Gb of DDR3 RAM, an Intel Core2-Quad processor and a bunch of 500Gb SATA drives to set up a RAID5 array (but I intend that the system boot off one of several 40Gb PATA drives I have).I set up the processor, motherboard, display card, RAM, a SATA DVD Drive and a 40Gb PATA hard disk in a "breadboard" layout and installed distro 13.1, being careful to set up the static IP for the local network, dhcpcd to get an IP address from the cable modem (my internet connection) and to enable ip_forward in the network configuration.
Then I installed a script invoked by /etc/rc.d/rc.local which installed all the SAME iptables rules as my old Linux box. There was one minor glitch when I had to change 8 occurrences of "-d ! $LOCAL_NET to" "! --destination $LOCAL_NET" but that was no problem. I also set up /etc/resolv.conf, /etc/hosts , the BIND server files etc. etc. exactly as in the old box.
I am able to ping mirror.aarnet.edu.au (this is at the heart of Australia's internet hub network - if it's down the whole bloody thing is down) and have the system find the correct IP from the designated nameservers and contact that server with a return trip time of 35ms. I am able to run a telnet session from one of the Windows boxes and edit files on the Linux server. So both network interfaces work and I've got them the right way around.I am able to run FTP on one of the Windows boxes and connect through to mirror.aarnet.edu.au, although it seems to hang when I try a DIR (but then so does the old linux system).
So recently I've been trying out openSUSE, along with a few other distros, for use on my HTPC. Previously, I'd been using a hackintosh build, so my external media storage HDDs are all formated HFS+. It was actually surprisingly easy to get openSUSE to mount them for both reading and writing.
Only thing is, XBMC has been pretty unstable on all of the linux distros I've tried, and I'm wondering to what degree the HFS filesystem might be affecting things? It would take a fair bit of juggling -- or going out and buying a new multi-TB HDD -- to clear out the disks in turn so as to reformat them with an ext filesystem, but if that would help me get a more stable HTPC with opensuse -- the linux distro I've settled on -- it'd be worth it. I'll paste a link to the log from an xbmc crash, in case that would be helpful, but really, I'm just curious, since I don't really know all that much about how different filesystems work or anything, how much extra strain does the filesystem translating entail?
I switched my htpc from windows xp to ubuntu 10.10 and since i switched my audio no longer works. these are my current stats. Please help im new to Linux so im not sure quite what to do. [URL]
View 5 Replies View RelatedI'm using a VGA GIGABYTE GV-R455D3- 512I HD4550 video card for my HTPC. It is connected via HDMI to a Toshiba 46" 1080p 120Hz LCD TV. I'm running Ubuntu 10.04 and when I open the Catalyst Control Center, it says my resolution is 1920x1080 and my maximum refresh rate is 60Hz. I need the output to be 1920x1080 and 120Hz refresh rate.
I'm trying to figure out where the bottle neck is. I don't know if my video card is the problem or if Ubuntu is the problem. Or maybe the fglrx display driver. I searched the web for the maximum refresh rate of the Radeon HD4550 video card, but I couldn't find anything. I don't know if I need to replace my card or not.