In the normal course of events, when replacing a dead computer, is to buy something a little higher end, and then perform a handmedown upgrade sequence so that instead of just one improvement, 3 or 4 systems get bumped up a notch.
Unfortunately, we happen to be in the place of having a few systems that are all about the same. Each is about 9-11 years old and replacing one does not mean we are able to bump it down to the next level.
In any event, this was the desktop that processed astronomical images. It was
a 2013 era Dell desktop with Win10 Pro 64bit, 16GB DDR3, 120GB SSD, a 6TB SATA data drive,a geforce gt720 GPU, 8xUSB2 and an Intel Core I5-2400 CPU
Over the last two months, the printing subsytem failed, the audio failed and it was time to get rid of it.
New systems of comparable oommphh are still in the $1K+ range, so as always, our search focused on refurbished systems. The issue with that is that everyone is selling hundreds of models and the search is very long and tedious.
We narrowed it down to a few key features such as USB3 (to speed up data transfer with the external USB drive), DDR4 RAM (lower voltage, lower power use, faster access), a smaller footprint but still able to take a spinning SATA drive and an SSD drive internally, and windows 10 pro 64bit.
That helped and we finally found a model on sale for $250. Selling some of the *other*, *working* older systems for $75 each helped to finance this new acquisition and it arrived yesterday.
The new system is an HP Business Desktop ProDesk 600 G2 Desktop Computer – Intel Core i5 (6th Gen) i5-6500 3.20 GHz – 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM – 256 GB SSD, USB3 front x2 rear x4; x1VGA, x2 DP. Awesome. The onboard graphics chipset,
intel graphics 530, rated as fast as my 8 year old GPU, a Geforce GT720 !
Worked out of the box (remember when setting up a new computer for the first time, keep it UNPLUGGED from the network so you can set up a local computer account, not a microsoft one, type in your user account name but DO NOT enter an initial password (otherwise it will demand security questions). Once past the setup, go back and add in a user account password, and the a 2nd account for security and backup reasons. Then plug it into the network, do operating system updates, add a user password and continue on.
It was then time to configure and install software:
install keyboard sharing software mouse without borders
install firefox
install chrome
install vnc
install printer lexmark
install firecapture 2.7.0.9
install pipp
install autostakkert! v3
install registax v6.1.0.0
install registrax v6.1.0.8
install zoom
install sharpcap
install stellarium
install handbrake
install filezilla
download and install libreoffice 7.3.2
install ser viewer
install irfanview
install ultravnc
install yawcam
install java runtime environment
install putty
install boinc and connect to einsteinathome project
install older malwarebytes
update data, run scan, clean
install realvnc v6.20.
install aomei partition assistant
install macrium reflect bare iron backup
install aomeibackupperstd
install wd mybook smartdrive SES drivers
All in all, noticeably faster, clean, and a nice fresh start in general. Hopefully will have some new astro imaging processing in the near future. The only downside to date is the smaller RAM, 8GB instead of 16GB. That can always be added on later however… maybe $40CDN for another 8GB stick.
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