Used dell desktop for Ubuntu 2004
 

I have a friend and his old office all in one died and he would like to purchase or build one he has a tight budget. I am working with him on a build.

If he wanted to buy a used dell MT desktop what models are a good option? I mainly buy used computers on ebay. I cant find a good site to search through.

If he wants a Dell, I would look at the Dell Refurbished website:

https://www.dellrefurbished.com/

What models would be a good option depends on what he plans to do with the computer.

Is it good for Linux at all not too vanilla?

Any of these OptiPlex 3020 Mts would have no problem running ubuntu just fine for around $200:

https://www.dellrefurbished.com/item...-mt-000003&p=1

How much does he want to spend? And again, does he have any specific software that he wants to run? The above ones are obviously not gamers but for surfing the web and running Libre Office they would do just fine. Also, find one that fits with the hardware he has on hand and wants to reuse. Most of those appear to have vga and display port connections for eg. If he needs to get an adapter to connect his monitor you have to factor that in to the total cost.

If the machine has adequate RAM, it should work nicely with Linux. Over the years I've used several Dells with various Linux distros, though I do not currently have one.

One thing to keep in mind is that Dell tends to favor Broadcom wireless for consumer-grade machines. Broadcom usually works nicely with Linux, but it can take a couple of extra steps to get working.

He should likely do the initial install with a wired connection until he's sure about the wireless.

Depending on what he wants to use it for, you could buy a new Raspberry Pi 4B, it has a 1.4GHz quad core ARM processor, & comes with 2/4/8GB ram, (£34/54/74), just add a suitable Debian based distro (RaspiOS), & your keyboard/mouse, plus monitor or TV, via HDMI cable.

They are very usable as a basic computer, I use a 4GB. :)


For pre used, I have used this firm - http://www.ebaystores.co.uk/CompuCle...=p4634.c0.m322

I cannot remember ever having a problem installing any distro with any Dell PC going back at least 20 years, though I never install without ethernet connectivity unless via DVD or USB stick. All Dells I own or have owned, mostly Optiplex models, were either gifts (from government bulk pallets) or purchased as refurbs via https://www.newegg.com/. One reason I buy them is because they provide DisplayPorts, which work fine with a cheap DP-to-HDMI adapter if and when necessary. Traditionally there has been a PCIe option card available (cheap on eBay if not already installed) that can provide one or more DVI ports off of the onboard Intel IGP.

Dell is beeping at me
 

MY friend had a dell 780 and this thing is old. It has ATI DMS-59 graphics card in the x16 slot. I have no way of using the DMS-59 connection. The system has a Display port on the I/O and I been using a Display port to HDMI adapter. I been getting beep codes and I have an audio file of it. I think I hear 3-1-1 beep code which is DMA failure. if that's the case this system is toast. I will upload the sound on my YouTube channel if they will let me.

I have two 780s. eBay last I looked had plenty of DMS-59 adapters for VGA and/or DVI cables. I have both types. The DMS-59 can be removed or replaced with any low profile PCIe card that isn't power hungry. One of mine has a Radeon HD6450 in it. These Dells run rather hot, so need to be kept clean of crud buildup inside both case and power supply, and the fans in case and PS efficient. Reseating the RAM sticks also might help. If all RAM sticks are not identical, the slowest should go closest to the CPU. These are dual channel capable, so sticks should be paired in slots 1/3 and/or 2/4.

I will have to remove the ram and try 2 at a time than see what the system does. I looked on ebay and found the card you mentioned. I was thinking of using Linux mint 20 Mate or xfce. The system was not that dusty. This system is a 780 sff.

I neglected to mention both my 780s are SFF. The larger models stay cooler.

Update

Tested the ram and added it back one at a time. The modo has a issue the CMOS battery housing is loose and it states low battery. I replaced the battery and it still states low battery. I think that this is an issue.

If it's truly loose, replacement is possible. The holders themselves are cheap. Here's a list of some that are available. They usually are soldered by two or three connectors. Soldering motherboard parts is tricky, best done by someone who already has the skill. If you cannot find someone local to do it and cannot do it yourself, there are places that can do it via the internet, such as badcaps.net.

I have never soldered in my life. Alone with the 780 and has gave me a Thinkcentre M55 which I am waiting on parts which should arrive today.He needs wifi and I use a card that may also work in the M55. I can replace the entire modo in the 780 for around 20 bucks via ebay he is aware of this. My friend is dead set on using one of these systems So I will see what I can do. I am not sure if he would be happy with a Resberry PI.

I install Linux Mint 20 mate on his Lenovo m55 or m55p. He seems
to like it. I am planning to try to install a driver for his printer it's an eof Samsung laser printer model xpress M3015DW. I know HP purchased Samsung printer division a few years back. HP seem to have his printer and renamed it to SL-M3015DW. It's a shot in the dark and this printer driver could be a dud.
I told him that.