Good Day,
I want to load linux for dabbling with music creation, but don't want to spend a lot on hardware. So I've found the following at a reasonable price locally: Dell Precision 530 Workstation, dual 1.8GHz Xeon processors and 1GB RAM; 36GB SCSI Hard Drive, CD ROM, 3D Prophet Video card - dual-outputs for two monitors. I've read online that it is not compatible with Win XP (comes preloaded with Win 2000 - which I'd likely delete) but wonder if Linux (probably Debian and/or FC6) will have any trouble with the dual processors and the RDRam. Thanks for any help with this. It is older hardware (6 years or so) but I've been working with an 850 pentium and so this should be a nice step up IF it will work.

Why don't you try a live cd, and see if everything works?

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't purchased it yet and don't know if the seller will set it up for me to try this. If he balks, do you know whether this is likely to work?

I know it works on my laptop
dell inspiron 9400
also dual core

Perhaps you can find more info at
http://hardware4linux.info/system/1262/

I have Debian running on a Dual CPU HP server, A Dell Server, and quite a few Dell PC's I don't see where it would be an issue especially with hardware that is a couple years old.

Dell even has a couple websites for this sort of thing.

And if you decide to go with Fedora, go with something newer than FC6 aren't they up to Version 9 by now ?

Thanks to all. This has been very helpful. I'm going to stay with FC6 for now because Planet CCRMA (which has all I need for music creation) uses it as a platform.

I have found running Ubuntu on the 530 has made me a believer in Ubuntu. And it is getting better every week - lots of new upgrades come thru. Donzo

Did you load Ubuntu or was it pre-installed?

I've re-formatted the drive, erasing Windoze and now having install issues on my 530.

Might have better luck starting a new thread..

When you say 530 do you mean Dell Inspiron 530 or Dell Precision 530 ?
Those are two different machines and you didn't specify, the original post in this thread is about a workstation machine with a Xeon processor.. the Inspiron is a newer standard Dell PC with a Core2 Processor..


You also misspelled Windows, I fixed it for ya...

Hi Farslayer,

I was referring to the Dell Precision 530 on the original post, I'm trying to find out if anyone else had installation problems. I suspect the problem is in the Dell bios or with the Wildcat video card. Think I should start a new thread?

If the solution you were looking for wasn't in this thread then it's usually best to start a new thread of your own, Maybe reference in the new thread that you have searched and didn't find the solution.

Then you need to provide information about your problem.

"install issues" is a pretty weak description of whatever problem you are having during install.

- Much better would be exactly when the problem occurs, did it partition, did it start copying files?
- does the LiveCD boot ok and can it see all your hardware ?
- What is on the screen when the install fails ?
- if there is an error message what the exact error is.
- Which version of Ubuntu you are you installing ? for all we know you could be trying to install Warty Warthog the very first Ubuntu release..

The more specific you can be about exactly what is happening and where the install is failing, the easier it will be for someone to help you.

How to ask Questions the Smart Way is a good read and will help us help you

I'll see if a moderator will split this out to it's own thread for you.

Thanks for the advice, Farslayer.

I'll start a new thread when I get a better handle on the problem.

In that case, I'll just close this.....

Good luck