Putting An Old Desktop PC To Use With Linux (Update)

I was going to put my old Desktop pc to use running Ubuntu Linux on it, but unfortunately after testing it last night and everything worked fine. When I came to install Ubuntu on it this morning I somehow ended up killing the Power Supply after adding a second HDD so I'll not be able to use it unless I can find a cheap compatible Power Supply for Motherboard that's inside somewhere so this little project is on hold for now.

Putting An Old Desktop PC To Use With Linux

In this series I'll be putting an old Desktop Tower PC that I built back in the early 200's into use running More than likely Linux or possibly Window Server 2003 unless I can find drivers for al the different Motherboard Chipsets, Graphics and Audio for Windows 7, 8/8.1 or even the Windows 10 Technical Preview, as the last time I tried Windows newer than Windows XP on it was Windows Vista and I struggled to get everything to work due to none existent drivers for anything other than the Nviidia Graphics card that I installed in it.

Why I Switched To The 11.6" Acer C720 Chromebook

For as long as I've been using Laptop & Notebook Computers I've used Desktop Replacements with large Screens, the smallest screened laptop I've used was a 10" Advent Netbook that I used for a few years when I needed a new laptop pretty quick.

The last Desktop Replacement Laptop I got was a 15.6" Toshiba Satellite C660-15R, Although it's a decent Machine with plenty of Power,more RAM than my current Laptop and a 1TB Toshiba HDD that I installed, and it's even capable of running the Windows 10 Technical Preview it's very heavy on the shoulder to carry around, especially when you factor in things like the Power Supply and a few other Accessories.

Microsoft Office Online Review

Microsoft Office Online is very much like the Offline version of Microsoft Office from a visual perspective minus a few options in the File Menu that are exclusive to the Offline version. As a suite it is 99.98% the same as what you would get in the Home Offline version & the Home & Personal Office 365 editions.

2.4 GHZ Wireless Mini Keyboard & Mouse Review

I got the 2.4 GHZ Wireless Mini Keyboard to make using my Chromebook at my desk easier as I can use the Keyboard and Mouse on the Keyboard tray of the desk instead of using the Chromebooks own Keyboard & Trackpad which is uncomfortable due to it being on a Laptop Riser that I'll review next.

The Keyboard is a standard island style Keyboard that is used on most modern Laptops including Chromebooks and Apple desktops. The Keyboard is a standard Windows layout with all the extra keys that you would expect from a Windows Keyboard.

For use with Chrome OS all of the Keys work as expected, the Caps Lock Key works as Caps Lock & the Windows Key works as the Chrome OS Search Key, the Delete Key works as Delete. The only Keys that don't work as they should are the Media Control Keys that are under the Fn Key on the F1-10 Keys.

To use the F1-10 Keys you really need to print off the Keyboard Layout by Googling for it and printing it out. The Keys are really solid and have more of a Mechanical feel about them than the what you get from Island style Keyboards. The supplied Keyboard protector does the job well and adds just the right amout off flex that using the Keyboard for an extended amount of time won't hurt your fingers.

The Mouse is of a mini variety and is nothing special as it's just a run of the mill optical mouse with left & right buttons and a scroll wheel that also acts as a third mouse button. Compared to the Wireless mouse that I was using previously it feels a little on the small side, but I'll have to try using the Keyboard on it's own with my other Wireless mouse even though it means having to give up a USB Port for another 2.4 GHZ dongle.

The 2.4 GHZ dongle for the kit sits in the bottom of the mouse for safe keeping if you decide to take them on the road with you (also this is where you will find the dongle when you take the kit out of the box. The Keyboard uses two AAA batteries while the mouse uses one AAA battery,

In the box you'll also find a little instruction leaflet as well as the Keyboard, in the kit that I got there were no included batteries but other sellers may include batteries.

For a link to the kit I got please see my Desk Setup November 2014 Article.

Roland