PC Tech Thread

You turned the computer off and on again?

Didn't even turn it off (though I obviously did try that).

Apparently shutting the lid and saying "I'm very disappointed in you" can have the right effect.

I'm looking to buy a home server and wonder if anyone has a recommendation?

One of these http://www.ebuyer.com/430446-hp-proliant-g7-n54l-2-2ghz-microserver-ebuyer-704941-421

Personally I run it with MS Home Server 2011 (cost about £30 I think) but others run it with different flavours of Windows or various Linux. Works fine with 4TB drives so plenty of storage available.
So looks like I'm a serious noob...

I was looking to create a home entertainment server... I just saw online that the proliant may not be suitable. Sad as I've already ordered it.

What do I need to do to get it ready to play movies on my lcd and music?

XBMC all the way. You can even get it on a linux version so you won't need any other OS and it'll fit on a USB stick which you can use as the boot drive for the server.

The Proliant is brilliant as a XBMC unit/server, I've got one.

Do I need a video card? What motherboard is in the proliant?

I bought windows 7 I think for it...

If you're planning to use it to actually play the videos then a video card with HDMI out is probably needed. I seem to remember you need a low profile one but I'm not 100% on that. They're pretty cheap though.

Check out Intel NUC's for HTPC's. The i3 ones will handle 1080p playback no sweat. Not much in the way of internal storage though, so you'll either need a USB external harddrive or stream off of a NAS or something. USB with OpenElec on it would be fine for booting from.

Easiest way is to just try it out on your current PC and see if it suits.

Do I need a video card? What motherboard is in the proliant?

If you're planning to use it to actually play the videos then a video card with HDMI out is probably needed. I seem to remember you need a low profile one but I'm not 100% on that. They're pretty cheap though.

Yeah you will need a low profile passive cooled video card for it as well. This will give you the HDMI output you will need.

Haver a look here

install the Ghostery plug-in for Chrome (or Firefox). Says there are 24 trackers...

Upgrade computers in the office. We are running a server.

I would like wireless monitors, keyboards, and mice in the office and all the boxes outside. What are my options?

Thank you.

blinks

wireless monitors ?

do you basically just want thin clients and everything run from the server?

Upgrade computers in the office. We are running a server.

I would like wireless monitors, keyboards, and mice in the office and all the boxes outside. What are my options?

Thank you.

Thin client aka VDI aka Mainframe-for-windows:

http://www.lenovo.com/secure_managed_client/uk/en/thin_client.html
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/landingpage/thin-client-solutions/

RPi Thin Client project:

http://rpitc.blogspot.co.uk/

Thin clients, why not. Wireless monitors not possible? How long cable a good idea? No seriously I want to the computers to be in another room not under the desk?

Generally speaking video signal over wireless is not a good idea unless you are willing to spend $$$. If your office has existing CAT5/6 cabling in place you could https://www.google.com/search?q=vga+over+ethernet

Bolt the RPI onto the back of the monitor using the 100mm VGA mount, or use projectors and mount it on the ceiling.

You may remember Ludwig that my computer is in the cellar and my monitor in the living room. I don't understand all this thin client business, it's beyond my limited computing knowledge, but I can tell you that DVI craps out much above 5 metres (I have practical experience of this, had to send a 10m one back as the picture kept going, a 5m just reaches) but HDMI cables that are good enough quality will go up to 15 metres.

HDMI can carry sound as well as video, plus you can get HDMI cables that include ethernet too.

Generally speaking video signal over wireless is not a good idea unless you are willing to spend $$$. If your office has existing CAT5/6 cabling in place you could https://www.google.com/search?q=vga+over+ethernet

Thank you Andrey. This I kind of understand.

RPi thin client sounds pretty awesome!

So this issue is solved by getting the right cables? Thank you

http://www.finegael.ie/latest-news/2013/odonovan-calls-for-crackd/index.xml

Wait, what?

So ended up buying a new hdd 1tb seagate and all is good in the world.

Next PC dilemma. I'd like a nice cold, quiet PC case that isn't huge.

Is this too much to ask?

I only ask because I study a lot on my PC and sometimes (this sounds pathetic) but the fan noise can be quite annoying.

Fox had one for sale a while ago and seemed pretty knowledgeable about cases

Edit: http://www.lfgss.com/thread99608.html

The Antec ones are decent. Pricier than a normal case but it definitely feels more substantial which cuts down on the vibrations, the fans are fairly quiet and it comes with mounting plates to reduce HDD noise.