Finally nuked my Linux install. Where to go next.

[diamond.g]

So just had yet another absolute freeze up on the W11 box. Mouse wouldn't move keyboard didn't work alt+f4 did nothing. Also noted the time didn't refresh. Watched it for a few and tried button mashing, pressing buttons on the wired game pad, moving mouse and checking the time. Evidently it was frozen for about 20 minutes according to the stopped clock in the system tray.

The kicker? I was using a live fedora 42 ISO this time and this behavior somewhat mirrors the freezing I've had in windows and the circumstances where I've left the thing idle for a few.

So now I'm starting to wonder if it's a hardware fault all along. Maybe sleep or power issue going into screen off. Possibly. Instability with the CPU? It is a first generation ryzen.

I/O problem? But wouldn't freeze the system tray clock I wouldn't think. Hmmm what else that both a W11 install and isolated live fedora environment could have a common connection (even if W11 was technically not running, although not entirely sure on this one...) ram.

Or there is some kind of fault somewhere in the mobo.

The CPU and RAM are a common bond ugh. So now I'm wondering. I might have another identical set of sticks in the old Linux build.

System is pretty old. Memtest could check things out. Wonder if I should even bother.

1st gen ryzen was notorious for USB issues. I don't recall if it was ever fully fixed on the early boards. At that time I was running 1st gen Threadripper and didn't seem to have any USB issues so I didn't follow it very closely.

 

[slitherjef]

1st gen ryzen was notorious for USB issues. I don't recall if it was ever fully fixed on the early boards. At that time I was running 1st gen Threadripper and didn't seem to have any USB issues so I didn't follow it very closely.

I did have a passing thought about it might be an I/O issue where something was disconnected during idle. I was not aware of a possibility of USB issues with ryzen, only it being picky with ram and such.

Sigh...

This is an old system that I recently stated to try to use a long time after it was built because the computer in the first post got borked during an update.

I did go to the ASRock site and did note there are beta firmware updates and I actually downloaded the latest (.43 file?) but haven't gone through with it as I didn't want to risk a brick or locking out of the computer all together.

Maybe it's my cue to just part ways with this hardware instead of chasing ghost on the unsupported setup.

Mainly power on this box on in case I want to game casually, otherwise it's pretty much a media consumption rig.

Steam deck LCD on sale right now... 🤔

 

[slitherjef]

More of my random musings I guess...

Starting to think about going back to the borked Linux box. Why? Possibly a slightly better upgrade path with ram prices being exorbitant. The ryzen 2200g might be more game friendly as well as a fresh Linux install. It's also a slightly smaller footprint and could potentially be made even smaller.

Motherboard is a MSI b450i gaming plus am4 socket so could possibly get an upgraded CPU in it, use my existing ram (possibly up to 32gb).

Thing also supports virtualization.

Top or high end chip from that generation might be a decent price.

---------

Funny thing is with the W11 desktop I've been trying to use, I have a very old Asus 11" laptop running an Intel i3 with an old mint distro and the thing boots to desktop and ready before my W11 desktop. Seems like the W11 is kind of bogging down.

 

[maflynn]

I have a very old Asus 11" laptop running an Intel i3 with an old mint distro and the thing boots to desktop and ready before my W11 desktop

Not surprising, Many (most?) linux distros a lot lighter weight then windows, so they're able to run very well on older slower hardware. That's been one of the major suggestions to keep an older computer viable, install linux.

 

[throAU]

2c. Would recommend to spend even 1/3 of the time you spend with rooting around with pc hardware and windows problems adjusting to macOS on the mini you have, and be happy

I say this as a windows/pc/network admin of 25+ years. Have built and troubleshooted countless PCs over the past 2-3 decades.

Can i build PCs? Yes. Do i have PCs i have built, still in my home office? Also yes.

Am i going to bother with them moving forwards? No. Not for desktop use. Will retire my current PC to NAS duties when its no longer good for gaming and by that point most of the stuff i care about will run well enough on macOS via emulation.

 

[Cape Dave]

Mind elaborating a bit more why Mac mini? Because I might be interested. Watching (too much) YouTube, canon DPP and possibly affinity and or gimp (if I can find an arm version) and not sure what else.

Might have a couple ideas to try on the defunct Linux box before I start parting it out. Maybe the GPU got swapped but no idea why with a browser update.

Part of me thinking about cracking open the old ryzen 7 (first generation) with windows I haven't booted in like 2 years or more and shoving mint Linux onto it and taking the ram from the borked Manjaro box and use it also. Hardware is old though but might be able to make use of some of it.

Not sure I'm up for scratch building a windows box. Not really interested in "there's an app for that" or a bunch of sign-in services.

The steam deck is a possibility also.

They always say, Fast, good, cheap. Choose any two. Somehow, the M4 Mac Mini has managed to do the impossible. It has ALL THREE! You will not be disappointed by this BEAST, I ASSURE you.

 

[QuarterSwede]

They always say, Fast, good, cheap. Choose any two. Somehow, the M4 Mac Mini has managed to do the impossible. It has ALL THREE! You will not be disappointed by this BEAST, I ASSURE you.

I’ll agree with this. Bought an M4 mini for my teenage son last year and it is so good that we bought one for us. You can’t find a better deal in computing at the moment, especially with PC RAM prices being insane. It’s $499 out there.

Update: it’s $399 if you’re near a Microcenter!

 

[Cape Dave]

I’ll agree with this. Bought an M4 mini for my teenage son last year and it is so good that we bought one for us. You can’t find a better deal in computing at the moment, especially with PC RAM prices being insane. It’s $499 out there.

Right? It's lightning in a bottle Greater than the sum of its parts. I tip my hat to Apple for this one.