Linux box for ~100

[valymer]

I guess this is the right forum, seems to be more about Linux than hardware.

I am looking to build a barebones machine and put some version of Linux on it. I only want to do this to learn some of the basics of the OS, and would rather not dual boot on my current PC.

Would it be possible to do this for around 100 dollars? Browsing around EBay I see some used legacy parts for really cheap, like original Pentium/mobo combos gutted out of old Gateways for $20, power supply for $8, etc. The problem is, I don't know anything about the different versions of Linux or the minimum system you could actually use them on.

The box wouldn't need to do anything graphical, play any games, or anything like that. The only thing I really want it to be able to support is a 10BaseT NIC.

 

[kami333]

I've had a couple of those Gateway boards in the past, the worked pretty well for me but I don't think it would make good sense spending $20 on the now. Just from browsing FS/FT:

Computer 4: $150 Shipped

Hewlett Packard XE745
Hewlett Packard CD-RW
Intel Celeron 733 Mhz
192 MB Memory
Western Digital 20 Gig HD (I dont know for sure, but the HD may be going, it may just need a good format though)
Intel 82810 Graphics
Lucent 56K Modem
HP EN1207D-TX PCI Ethernet Card
Floppy


Depends on what you are doing with Linux but for specs think similar to running Windows (PII 450+, 192MB+) at least in the beginning, once you know what you are doing then you are more likely to configure it to run on less hardware with no gui etc. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to learn on a slow machine.

 

[timswim78]

Instead of building a system from parts, I'd just look for an old Dell on craigslist. I constanlty see old Optiplex's and Dimensions that would easily fit your requirements and budget. Also, you can buy locally, without having to pay for shipping.

 

[IamDavid]

You could build a system around the 1ghz range for $100 now days. if not better.

CPU\MB $35
HD $15
Case w\PS $20
KB\Mouse $10
CDRom $10
Network card if not on MB $5

That should be all you need and it will be powerful enough to run any Linux flavor..

 

[TGS]

Any PII or PIII era cpu will work fine. I think most of the modern versions are compiled for PII/PIII or better. Seeing how you don't want to drive X or a window manager you can probably go lower fairly safely. Around 5-600mHz will give you room to add a hardware mpeg decoder for DVDs and the such. If not, 5-600 will make a nice internet/word processing machine.

Edit: If it's just for a router or firewall box consider going even lower.

 

[nweaver]

if you are wanting to "learn the ins and outs" then do the OS justice, and get some decent H/W. What would you say if I said that I wanted to "try XP Pro out" so I was looking for a $100 computer?

Minimum 733 + 512 MB ram

 

[drag]

Ya... Just look for a used computer. Sometimes people give them away for free if they don't need it any more. Maybe there is a PC recycler place around were you live you can check out.

 

[Extelleron]

Is this a WTB offer? I've got a P2-400, 64MB, Voodoo 16MB box collecting dust........all it needs is a little memory and it'll be alive and kicking.

 

[n0cmonkey]

VMWare would be a fine thing to start with.

 

[bersl2]

You might want to clarify what exactly you mean by "basics". For all we know, a live-CD distro may suffice.