Hi,
first post
I'm looking at buying a Dell Dimension 1100 and reformatting the hard drive to run as a Linux server as they have a better deal that includes their 19" flat screen, as apposed to just buying a Dell Power Edge server SC430 that comes "configured for Linux Red Hat". I'm I looking for trouble or ? would it NOT be worth the 150. net price difference considering the time and effort to do this ?

Dell basically said "it would work" "but not supported".


Thanks,
Bill

It sounds like you run the risk of them not supporting you if say the nic card goes bad. They have a book that tells them how to handle that but if you erase windows for linux then they may say they can't help you and you have to replace the part on your own dime. It looks like the sc4300 is larger which means it can probably have something like an extra drive added to it. Can the dimension have that added? The server is probably built to run all the time too. I have a dimension at home and I'd rather have a server if i was running something important. There is not a whole lot of air flow through there.

Thanks Benji,
I'ld not given it any thought about the possible 'build' difference, just that the specs were pretty close and somewhere I'ld read that the Dimension 1100 and SC430 server were possible the same machine. I've been using a circa 1998 PC as a Linux server for over 5 years.It runs 24/7.
(only 2 machines run off of it + networking from home)Only because the power supply went last week did I think it was getting time to replace the whole machine.Things stick in my head like the guy that set it up back then "Linux will run on any PC".So i guess the bottom line is, best to error on the side of caution INSTEAD of getting a 'free' 19" flat panel.Now I just gotta tell the office manager she anti gettin' a flat panel btw the way she's my wife too..... oh me oh my

You didn't mention the 'wife' factor... That changes EVERYTHING!

But seriously I have a little dimension at home and the fan was running on it more than I'd like. I have 2 cats and the there was plenty of dust/fur inside of it blocking the air ways. Pulled a lot of the dust and hair out in layers and it seems to have helped, but I think the air ways got congested faster than they should've (less than a year).

It just depends on what you're willing to chance. The dimension may outlast the low-end server, it might not. If it your "home server" the dimension might work. For the small office server the poweredge would probably be more appropriate. Also take into consideration that the poweredge will be noisier if you are going to stick it next to your wife's desk.

Did that help or make it worse

noisier !!!!

now you tell me.... well, it'll be more like next to her desk on the floor and 3 feet away. Anyway the AC wall unit will drownd out the noise .
I ordered the Power Edge last night, the weight is about 10 lbs heavyer so it must 'built' for 'serving'.
Thanks again for your input