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Linux on Optiplex
I have Dell Optiplex GX 620 3.2 GHz 2 MB Cache, Philips CD/DVD RW +/-, 1 gb ram and 945g chipset. I am trying to install linux on my cpu. I have already tried three distributions, Ubuntu 5.04, Red Hat 9 and Mandrake 8.1. None of them works, the first two apparently due to cd rom incompatibility. Can you give advice on which distribution to install which will work with my system? Thank you
- Thank you for the reply
I have Serial ATA 160GB. I am guessing that means SATA. Is there no way around this? Will changing the BIOS help?
BTW, how do you access the BIOS? I have no idea.
If neither option helps, would installing an additional IDE hard drive help?
Thank you - yea that the one. SATA is the newer type .About two years ago the
HD came out. (sda instead of hda file names)
One way to work around is to get the latest distros that have
the newer kernel 2.6.x .And still it takes some reading and
knowledge to install the distro. You need to get some faqs
about linux before you get them.
If you want to use the older distros, yes - it would be better
to get an IDE HD.the BIOS is right after you turn on your box. theres an F2 or
F12 when the Dell logo comes out. (be very careful not to screw
the bios).
Do alot of reading and reseach about linux.
and partitioning your HD.
and if your modem is compatible w/ linux - only some will work
and sound card - only some will work with older distros
So if you really like DOS promp on windows then
your going to enjoy linux.good luck jazzylady2714
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Posted December 14th, 2005 17:00
I think I have the same problem here. I just got (several) Optiplex GX620 that I need to install with Ubuntu 5.10. In the BIOS, when I use Combination mode, it will recognize the DVD drive for installation. When I use the Normal mode, the DVD drive will have problems reading the install CD. The HD is using SATA and the DVD drive is using PATA-0. The DVD drive is Philips DVD+/-RW DVD8701.
What can I do? I think the problem is with the Philips drive because I put ubuntu on the Optiplex GX280s with no problem, they had a HL and Samsung Drive.
I have 8 of these I need to configure. Are there any fixes for linux for this Philips drive? I don't see any on the Dell site.
Help. I'm going to be raked thru the coals....
:smileysad:
jazzylady2714
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Posted January 3rd, 2006 22:00
What I ended up doing is replace the Phillips DVD with a CD drive that I had no problems with before from a Dell Optiplex 280. I went thru the entire installation with the replaced CD, once I finished and got the current updates, I put back the Phillips DVD and it seems to work and is recognized. I'm using Ubuntu Breezy Badger (not my linux choice). The updates had the more current driver info, but the install CD didn't seem to have the philips DVD info.Kind of an odd solution, but I couldn't think of anything else!!- I also have a GX620 system, that i purchased in January and am trying to install RHEL WS4 [the 64-bit AMD/EM64T version] on. I downloaded the Update 2 CDs from RHN, and they auto-detect the SATA HDD and DVD just fine.When i tried to start the install in graphical mode, the process hung with a blank X-windows screen and nothing but the mouse drawn. No mouse or keyboard response from that point.I installed in text mode and the whole process went through pretty smoothly. I tested all 5 CDs before install, and all reported PASS. After i finished the installation though, i rebooted and now the system won't load the whole OS. The screen goes graphical and says "starting first-time boot configuration", and the mouse is visible but doesn't respond. Everything hangs when i get to:Loading /lib/kbd/keymaps/i386/qwerty/us.map.gzThis system doesn't have PS/2 ports and only comes with USB keyboard & mouse. Is this what's causing the problem? Do i have to do something differently in the setup process for USB peripherals?Thanks for any ideas at all,» Sean
chahuiztle
1 Message
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Posted February 14th, 2006 15:00
I installed the sarge distrubution of debian in mi moptiplex GX620, but i don't know how to configure my sound card an the video card, can anyone help me.- My next problem is that RHEL3 doesn't support the NIC in this box. Can't find it anywhere. Any help is appreciated.
Actaully, for you can obtain NIC drivers here:
http://broadcom.com/support/ethernet_nic/downloaddrivers.phpMessage Edited by shzzlnzzl on 03-29-2006 12:29 PM
- sionathan: you need a ps/2 adapter from Dell for RHEL. I tried it with a usb kvm and it still didn't work. once the ps/2 adapter arrived, the keys and mouse worked fine.
If you bought the pc via phone, and know which agent sold it to you, you may be able to convince them to send you one for free. it worked for me.....
buzzzxyz
23 Posts
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Posted October 29th, 2005 00:00
and what did the screen read
those are all decent distros
BTW
if your HD is an SATA your out of luck
you need an IDE
Message Edited by buzzzxyz on 10-28-2005 09:05 PM