Hi! I'm fairly new to linux. I once got mandrake up and running as a dual boot on my main rig, but then ran out of things to do with it (such as gaming not working) so gave up I didn't have much time, at the time.

Now, I've harvested parts from old computers, and would really like to know more about Linux, and how better to learn than to jump right in, right?!

I want to build a HTPC using linux, with old parts of my computers, and others I've got my hands on. Current hardware config is:

Mobo.... not sure, definately need to try and find out!
Athlon XP (Not sure what speed it should be at, but currently clocked at 1100MHz. If i try upping FSB to 133, no boot)
512Mb (1x256, 2x128) PC133 RAM
GeForce MX420 GPU (PCI)
hopefully Creative MP3+ (USB)
otherwise Hercules Muse 5.1
Compro Videomate DVB-T300
an old hauppauge anaolgue tv card
bog standard (i hope) network card

Will this setup be capable of playing live tv, doing live pause sorta stuff, playing music/movies from other (XP) computers on the network, recording TV?

My brother's considering upgrading so i should be able to harvest some of his old parts:
768MB DDR RAM
athlon XP2000+ (ish)
MSI Nforce Mobo (i think)
Geforce III ti200


will the above hardware help in the cause?

And my final question, can anyone see any obvious problems with my quest?!

Cheers,
Fred

Wotcha Fred,

If you have a look at the Tier 1 stuff you'll get a good idea what works out of the box.

As a general rule avoid VIA chipset mobo's as some have a DMA problem which means you have trouble recording and watching live tv. NForce 2 no problems (a few have a fast clock problem which is fairly easy to rectify but they work more importantly.) Check here: http://knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=WhatMoboYouUse

The good news is DVB-T requires very littel in the way of overhead as it doesn't require decoding or whatnot. The older anologue card will require more horsepower but I think u should be alright. If you look at what Cecil used in his first rigs it was extremely low powered.

Geforce graphics - no problem though trying to output ot a widescreen CRT TV can be problem with the older models. I used to have a Geforce 2 MX400 and I always had problems with black boarders down the side of the screen (its out put was 4:3 instaed of 16:9) this was sorted by using a Geforce fx5200. Your bro's GF3 ti200 may be a better bet (don't know though - check the teir 1 stuff andthe re is a load of info on the wiki

RAM - no probs need about 512mb.

The only thing you don't appear to have is A BIG hard drive.

Good luck

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Version:R8
Intel C2D 7400, Nvidia 5600 via HDMI to Samsung B37B650TW (PAL), Asus P5QL-E mobo, 4Gb PC6400 DDR2 ram, Samsung Spinpoint 500 Gb & 1Tb drive, Nova-HD-S2 (x2)

I recomend trying the board if it's via... mine hasnt ha any issues, but I still hear it's hit and miss

_________________
MSI K8MM-V Micro ATX motherboard
3100+ socket 754 AMD Semperon
1GB DDR ram
1TB WD Green Hdd
Hauppauge PVR-350 (tv-out)
SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime
16X memorex DVD drive

In my experience the graphics card and the tuner are the two pieces of hardware that will give you the most grief. Also SATA disks, so stay with IDE.

Earlier versions of KnoppMyth would also bawk at USB keyboards and mice, but R5C7 eats USB as candy in my experience.

So for tuners, take a look at the video4linux viki (tuners), it'll give you a good idea of which tuners that will work with KnoppMyth. The older the tuner, the better the chance of it behaving nicely.

For graphic cards I can't say much except that if you really like the virutal console and bootsplash, then look for another card... My Geforce FX5200 didn't like cope giving me both. And according to the fine people who's set it up, nvidia cards don't. But like the man says, look for a card you like in the Tier 1 setups.

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--
R5C7 user - Tier 2
Unsolved issue: Joypad problem

ace, cheers for your helps!

I've organised my current rigs hard drives, and freed up a 160gig ide hard drive. I've installed knoppmyth on the green spec above. I don't think I did the initial setup thing properly, when it loads knoppmyth for the first time... is there anyway of getting back there?

I've gotten it displaying on my tv screen in PAL and even ripped and played back my first CD, Star Wars IV soundtrack (using the USB soundblaster MP3+, no probs)

my biggest problem, at the moment is the compro dvb-t300. I'm struggling to find any info on that card in knoppmyth. I've just downloaded a bunch of stuff to try on it, although i think its based on another linux distribution (Fedora Core 4) http://myth.ster.me.uk/?cat=1

Is there an easy way of finding out the mothorboard chip???

once the tv cards sorted, i'm hoping to network so it can access my windows shares, but i'll ask about that when i get there, if i can't find any info

So... any pointers on the Compro DVB-T300 front???

Cheers so muchly
Fred