[PLUG] Need New Computer

[Michael Barnes]

On Thu, Feb 21, 2019 at 8:55 PM Michael Barnes <barnmichael at gmail.com>
wrote:

>
> On Thu, Feb 21, 2019 at 6:49 PM Russell Senior <russell at personaltelco.net>
> wrote:
>
>> FreeGeek thrift store can get you a working box with decent desktop specs
>> for on the order of $100-$200.
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 21, 2019 at 6:27 PM Michael Barnes <barnmichael at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > I came home from work today to find my 12 year old Dell Optiplex bit the
>> > dust. Not sure if it is the power supply or motherboard, troubleshooting
>> > help is rather vague. I haven't  built a computer since 2006, so I'm a
>> bit
>> > out of touch on hardware specs these days. I just need a basic desktop
>> > machine to run Ubuntu on. I have a real nice pair of Dell DVI monitors
>> with
>> > sound bars. They also have VGA inputs. Is DVI video still being used? My
>> > video card has a big DVI connector that connects to a splitter cable to
>> > feed the two monitors. From a previous issue, I know I need to upgrade
>> > video as Google Earth would not render properly.
>> > Anyhow, any suggestions on hardware these days? I'd really like to try
>> to
>> > find something local I can get back on line this weekend, but I don't
>> know
>> > of anyplace with hardware other than Fry's. Is there a current video
>> card
>> > with the dual DVI output to allow me to use my existing monitors? I
>> really
>> > don't want to buy a Walmart or Costco machine to pay for and throw away
>> > Windows and I'm not interested in dual-booting. Or should I just try to
>> > find a junk machine to get me by until I can receive something from
>> online
>> > purchase?
>> > Also, are modern motherboards still using SATA drives, or has that
>> > technology changed, too?
>> >
>> > Thanks for any suggestions.
>> >
>> > Michael
>>
>
> Well, based on the limited number of options provided  :-)  I guess I'll
> be headed to Free Geek on Saturday.
>
> Thanks, everybody.
>
> Michael
>
>
Made it to Free Geek this morning. Great folks. Fixed me up with a nice
machine at a reasonable price. Even got me something I can use my existing
monitors with. Copied files from the old hard drive with little problem.
Back in business.

Thanks everybody for your help.

Michael