Would I be able to put linux on this machine

[madokie]

HP Pavilion 500-123w Desktop PC with Intel Core i3-3240 Processor, 8GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive and Windows 8

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03968985&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

I can get this new for $398.00

[Recursion]

1. Sure, just make sure to get the amd64 rather than x86 version of whatever distro you use

That's going to have intel graphics and wireless, which are supported very well. One caveat is that if you're using Debian, you'll need to download the wireless firmware first and put it on a USB stick for the installation (everybody else just ships it with the installer).

[madokie]

2. Thanks.

Just got back from purchasing it.
I'll wait until morning to switch it out with my old dell dimension 4700 that I bought new in 2001.

Crazy as I am I like Ubuntu 10.04 best so I'll probably put it on first. I just downloaded the amd 64 version of it. My old dimension didn't like 12.04 using Mate and I'm not sure it is was the age of the computer or bugs in the OS. At least I now know how to set up 10.04 so it will upgrade firefox and thunderbird to the newest versions as they come out as well as install the new kernels as they're available.

I'm going to try to make a copy of the windows 8 that is on it with out having to register it in case I want to give it to someone else so I'll not even boot to it. Rather just boot to the thumb drive and install Ubuntu.

Been watching a while for what to me seemed like a good deal and when I seen this one this morning I felt my wait was over.

One more question, I recently purchased a SSD drive that I would like to use as my operating system drive. Do you know if I'll be able to do that with this machine

Thanks again

[Recursion]

3. Shhh

I'm going to try to make a copy of the windows 8 that is on it with out having to register it in case I want to give it to someone else so I'll not even boot to it

Well, don't say that so loud; it's illegal to do that with an OEM installation (as far as I know everybody does it, though).

One more question, I recently purchased a SSD drive that I would like to use as my operating system drive. Do you know if I'll be able to do that with this machine

IIRC this is a SATA connection (check to make sure), so any SATA SSD that physically fits in the drive enclosure should be good. If possible, get one the same dimensions as you're current drive so that it doesn't rattle around in there.

[madokie]

4. Looks like I could just lay the SSD drive on the bottom of the case if I wanted to

I have the SSD mounted in a 2.5 to 3.5 converter tray. I was looking and it looks like I can simply lay it in the bottom of the enclosure and it shouldn't cause any problems as the computer will not be being moved around any. when I connect the sata cable up will I have to connect it to the sata port that the drive in it is connected to to make sure it boots to it It has 4 sata ports on the mother board. The hard drive is connected to sata 0 and the dvd drive is connected to sata 2, sata 1 and sata 3 have nothing connected to them. I'm thinking I connect the ssd to the sata 0, move the hard drive to sata 2 and move the dvd drive to sata 1. would that be right or would I need to move the hard drive to sata 1 and leave the dvd drive where it is on sata 2

Again thanks

the sata drive I have is a kingston sata 3

[defacto7]

5. You may

well, you will have difficulties with 10.04 since it's outside of the support period. You won't be able to use the newest kernels either. If you are into the old platforms maybe it's the desktop you are thinking about since 10.04 used the old version of Gnome. Now they use Unity which some people like... I do not. You can get other Linux versions that come with Gnome classic desktop or you can put Gnome classic on a new install of Ubuntu. That way you will have the updated version that most likely will match your hardware as well as the newest versions of Firefox etc.. There are also a ton of other desktops you can use too; that is a vast and fun subject.

If you're really set on the old Ubuntu style, look at Mint. (among a gazillion others)

I don't really think it's a good idea to go with Lucid Lynx after it's been out of support for so long. You'll end up upgrading it anyway which could be a huge hassle since other LTS versions have come out since. With 10.04 all the newest versions of most everything won't be available and you will be stuck with the 2.6.x kernels; I'm using 3.2.x on basic machines and 3.6.x on my experimental machine. It may also get you into some slight but possible security issues that are long ago closed. The only updates that will be available will be the most basic security updates.

I could be a lot more detailed if I weren't so tired tonight. Long day.

Have fun!

P.S.... If you are into compiling your own OS and you want to mix and match stuff you'll be fine if you know what you're doing. I'm just not sure of your expertise on the subject. Most people don't go there.

[defacto7]

6. I guess I am tired. Sorry to double post.

I just noticed you installed 12.04 with Mate and had problems. 12.04 was the first LTS with Unity as the default. Unity was kind of experimental with Maverick, Natty and Oneric. Even Precise was unstable with Unity early on which wasn't settled till later. Precise is a very stable system now. If you set up Precise with Mate early on, you could very well have run into even more problems. I haven't used Ubuntu desktop systems since Lynx and I worked bug tracking back to Hardy.

I understand favoring Lynx; it was the best of Ubuntu... then they went Unity and I have moved in very different and varied directions since.

[hobbit709]

7. You may have to screw with the BIOS settings.

the new UEFI BIOS wants to lock out any OS except Windows 8.

[madokie]

8. Thank you very much.

[madokie]

9. Is there a mother board that doesn't have this UEFI bios

that I can use this I5 processor with

I called the shop and they said they're rather I return the whole thing for a refund. I'm wanting to upgrade to at least an I5 processor but I am a linux user and no way will I go back to windows

[hobbit709]

10. All the new boards have it.

You can change the setting but they try to not make it easy. I had a new Lenovo laptop that the customer wanted 7 on it instead of 8. I had to change 3 separate settings in the BIOS before the internal DVD drive would boot from either 7 or Linux.