30-10-2019, 05:48 PM
(This post was last modified: 30-10-2019, 05:50 PM by Mike Watterson.)
If not using a laptop, add a UPS so you can save work on powercut.
Autostart is evil. First thing I've done on Windows for 20+ years is empty system and user start folders.
However it's simple on Linux too.
Control panel, scroll to bottom and click on "Startup Applications". Untick obviously stupid stuff you don't need. Like Screen Reader or Uploads.
Same parameters as adding a Panel or Desktop Icon, so test that way first.
A faulty application on Windows or Linux or MacOS set to autorun can prevent the desktop appearing, or prevent the user logging on. Always create a 2nd Admin user and at least one alternate desktop (XFCE etc).
BTW, I installed Linux Mint with mate desktop (18.3) last week. Copied the "VirtualBox VMs" folder from my laptop to the fresh one and VBOX was already on the bottom of "System Tools" in the Start Menu. It worked without installing anything extra, though "Shared Folders" gave an error as the location didn't exist on the fresh install.
The only old or new PCs/Laptops I've had a problem with in 10 years is a Dell Inspiron 640M. It worked with Ubuntu 9x. Only works with VESA mode with newer Linux distros, it has the intel i945GMA integrated graphics and rarer 1440x900 resolution (VESA mode closest is 1280 x 768).
I'm sure it's possible to find a computer not compatible.
Today I'd only use a desktop PC over a laptop for either high end Gaming (a PS4 is a better idea) or if I need HW I/O cards like multiple satellite receivers, DVB-T SOURCE card, or needing more than 1T byte etc. I'd get a laptop with 1920 x1080 screen and decent GPU able to also drive HDMI at up to 4K resolution. You'd pay x4 more for a screen usefully better on a laptop. A "retina" style 4K screen that's 15" to 17" is a waste of money as meant to be used in a virtual 1920x1080, so just pretty.
Desktop PCs are now niche and overpriced, need a UPS if you are editing/creating.
I'd also use 500G HDD, not SSD for warning of failure and reliability. Cheap SSD are hugely different to enterprize server SSDs. Big advantage on using SSDs for a server streaming to multiple users. Apart from reducing boot time from 45s to 25s it's marginal for a single user and huge price premium at 500G or 1T. I'd avoid the cheaper WD drives like green or blue. Black or Red is better.
Autostart is evil. First thing I've done on Windows for 20+ years is empty system and user start folders.
However it's simple on Linux too.
Control panel, scroll to bottom and click on "Startup Applications". Untick obviously stupid stuff you don't need. Like Screen Reader or Uploads.
Same parameters as adding a Panel or Desktop Icon, so test that way first.
A faulty application on Windows or Linux or MacOS set to autorun can prevent the desktop appearing, or prevent the user logging on. Always create a 2nd Admin user and at least one alternate desktop (XFCE etc).
BTW, I installed Linux Mint with mate desktop (18.3) last week. Copied the "VirtualBox VMs" folder from my laptop to the fresh one and VBOX was already on the bottom of "System Tools" in the Start Menu. It worked without installing anything extra, though "Shared Folders" gave an error as the location didn't exist on the fresh install.
The only old or new PCs/Laptops I've had a problem with in 10 years is a Dell Inspiron 640M. It worked with Ubuntu 9x. Only works with VESA mode with newer Linux distros, it has the intel i945GMA integrated graphics and rarer 1440x900 resolution (VESA mode closest is 1280 x 768).
I'm sure it's possible to find a computer not compatible.
Today I'd only use a desktop PC over a laptop for either high end Gaming (a PS4 is a better idea) or if I need HW I/O cards like multiple satellite receivers, DVB-T SOURCE card, or needing more than 1T byte etc. I'd get a laptop with 1920 x1080 screen and decent GPU able to also drive HDMI at up to 4K resolution. You'd pay x4 more for a screen usefully better on a laptop. A "retina" style 4K screen that's 15" to 17" is a waste of money as meant to be used in a virtual 1920x1080, so just pretty.
Desktop PCs are now niche and overpriced, need a UPS if you are editing/creating.
I'd also use 500G HDD, not SSD for warning of failure and reliability. Cheap SSD are hugely different to enterprize server SSDs. Big advantage on using SSDs for a server streaming to multiple users. Apart from reducing boot time from 45s to 25s it's marginal for a single user and huge price premium at 500G or 1T. I'd avoid the cheaper WD drives like green or blue. Black or Red is better.