Requesting advice on a Linux Distro for old server that's going to be used as desktop

Falcon2426 · 02-23-2020, 07:06 PM

I was given an old server and would like to convert it to a personal computer at low cost. Something to learn and have fun with. My skill level is beginner and I'm enjoying learning about hardware / software. So Linux came to mind, and I've been reading about it for the past couple of days. I downloaded a copy of Ubuntu 18.04 LTS booted from USB to try (but my pointer was invisible so I didn't play around with it much.)
I will post the hardware specs below, but I am looking for advice on a Linux distro that would work well with it and is user-friendly. Also, I'm looking for a recommendation on a graphics card so I can get some decent resolution and have more than just the VGA output on the server motherboard. Here are the specs:

Intel S5520HC MB / Single Intel Xeon 5645 processor
Three 8 GB DDR2 memory sticks
One 256 GB SSD connected by onboard SATA
Intel hardware RAID controller RS2BL040 with four 4 TB Western Digital hard drives (currently with a 2 TB virtual drive in RAID 10)

I have no necessity for RAID, nor do I really need 16 TB of storage, but it's cool to have.

I was told that there was a hardware issue with the machine, and so I took it to my local Microcenter and had a diagnostic test run. They indicated that one of the hard drives in the RAID may have failed, but they did not seem very definitive. The system boots just fine (into Windows Server 2008 R2, which I believe is housed on the SSD) and I've been unable to detect any hardware issue with the hard drives, although my acumen to do so is probably quite low. I do not see any diagnostics in the RAID BIOS.
I did notice when the system boots, I get a sequence of 3 short beeps, which i understand to indicate a memory issue; however, I ran Memtest86 last night through 1 and a half passes, with no errors detected.
Thanks for your time and advice.

redd9 · 02-23-2020, 07:19 PM

Hmm... Fedora Linux might be a good option. It's as easy to use as Ubuntu imo since they both use the same desktop environment (GNOME) and the install process is similar. It also allows you to download .rpm files, which are packages designed for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the most popular Linux server distribution.

I use Fedora on my laptop since it allows me to use enterprise standard software as well as Steam for gaming.

Re: graphics card, are you planning on gaming on this server, or just using it for playing around with Linux?

Falcon2426 · 02-23-2020, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redd9

Hmm... Fedora Linux might be a good option. It's as easy to use as Ubuntu imo since they both use the same desktop environment (GNOME) and the install process is similar. It also allows you to download .rpm files, which are packages designed for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the most popular Linux server distribution.

I use Fedora on my laptop since it allows me to use enterprise standard software as well as Steam for gaming.

Re: graphics card, are you planning on gaming on this server, or just using it for playing around with Linux?

I am not going to be using this for gaming, unless I set up a little retro gaming / emulators etc. I plan on building a separate new PC for gaming.

PS: I do not need this machine to function as a server.

frankbell · 02-23-2020, 07:43 PM

If I read this correctly, this machine has 24GB RAM. With that much RAM, it should be able to run just abour anything.

This post may help: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ro-4175623119/

My personal favorites are Mageia, Slackware, and Debian, but I'm currently using Kubuntu on one of my machines and found it quite cooperative. As an aside, I personally really don't like Gnome, but that's just me.

redd9 · 02-23-2020, 07:44 PM

To be honest, it may be worth installing a distribution of Linux on the server, then downloading the relevant updated graphics drivers for your hardware before you go out and buy a graphics card.

Running a distribution live will often result in poor performance graphics-wise since a live system will often use a generic driver instead of one specifically designed for your hardware.

fatmac · 02-24-2020, 05:48 AM

First off I'd find a distro that I liked & run it 'live' to see that all hardware is supported.

Personally, I'd remove the 4x 4TB disks, (just not needed), & probably 2x 8GB ram sticks, (again, not needed).

(You could probably sell them).

Hermani · 02-24-2020, 07:28 AM

redd9 favours Fedora Linux, I'd say just install Ubuntu. However, you need to make up your own mind.

For that, I'd recommend watching this Youtube video, that explains all about the different distro's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iox7fr7p5Hc. I found it very instructive.

Running Linux, you'll have a ball running that machine

masterclassic · 02-24-2020, 11:52 AM

Concerning the hard drives issue:
Very probably, there are special software diagnostic and management tools for the RAID controller. You can look for them in the "Start" menu from the lower left corner of the desktop. Reports will give more info on the eventual problem. Some of the hard drives are often configured as spare drives, activated by the system in case of any hard drive's failure.

binkyd · 02-24-2020, 08:14 PM

If you're new to Linux you might find Linux Mint Cinnamon the closest look.