[conspire] (forw) Need to Install Ubuntu Linux

[Rick Moen]

In this one case, because the e-mail address is Robert's wife's and not
his, I'm avoiding posting it here.  If someone else on Conspire wants to
send him some comments, I can forward them back.  (I'll be sending my
own comment back to him, and post it here.)

The Hewlett-Packard EliteDesk 800 is actually a perfectly fine 'small
form factor' business PC.  I suspect that by '800GB RAM' he means 8GB,
and this is probably what HP called a 'G1' (generation 1) unit, vs. the
current-production G2.  The specs are here:
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2013/HPDiscover2013/HPEliteDesk800_datasheet.pdf
If Robert has described the unit correctly, it's the one in column 3,
the 'tower' configuration.  He probably has qty. 2 of 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 
sticks in it.

I really think Robert has done exceptionally in his purchasing, and will
be pleased to help him some more, despite it being a bit slow and a bit
painful to get him the help he needs, some times.

----- Forwarded message from KRISTINA P SMITH <RM: e-mail address redacted> -----

Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2017 01:01:58 +0000 (UTC)
From: [RM: e-mail address redacted]
To: "installers at linuxmafia.com" <installers at linuxmafia.com>
Subject: Need to Install Ubuntu Linux

Hello Rick et al,

I attended the CABAL meeting 14 Jan.17, seeking advice/help on replacing
an old computer after the motherboard had failed.  A major concern was to
continue having Internet connection via an external dial-up modem.  
Rick Moen said that to get a serial port I should look for an "old"
computer.  Several attendees had favorableopinions of Central Computer
(in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale) as a builder/supplier of computers with the
Linux OS.

On 19 Jan 17, I went to Central Computer (Santa Clara, 3777 Stevens 
Creek Blvd., telephone 408-248-5888).  They prepared an estimate for 
a custom-built computer with Linux OS (Ubuntu 16.04).  However, they 
could not supply hardware that included a serial port.  They suggested 
that I check with Weird Stuff (Sunnyvale, 384 West Caribbean Dr., 
408-743-5650) for an "old" computer.

On 23 Jan 17, I went to Weird Stuff and found (and bought) a fairly 
heavy-duty computer with a serial port:

Hewlett-Packard EliteDesk 800 
800GB RAM
1.5TB hard drive
Intel CPU
RS-232 Serial Port
Tower Case

The Linux OS CD that I have is Ubuntu v. 9.10, which appears to be newer 
than the "old" HP Computer.  Where can I get a CD with a more recent 
version of Ubuntu Linux?  (Within short driving distance of Menlo Park or 
via USPS snail mail.)

Central Computer does not sell LinuxOS CDs, but did propose to install 
Ubuntu 16.04 on hardware bought from them.  I will attend the next 
CABAL meeting (11Feb 17) with the HP computer, hoping to accomplish 
Linux installation.   Thank you for your help.

Robert Johnstone
[RM: address redacted]
Palo Alto CA 94301
[RM: telephone # redacted] (voice)
P.S. This e-mail is being sent via my wife Kristina's computer 
and ISP.

----- End forwarded message -----