Hey and Hi to you all,
I have been thinking of messing around with LINUX for some time now, but really have not had the time...
But, That day has come. I have a 2x AMD CPU HP Server I am going to use as a test bench and learn LINUX.
 
This Server has 2x AMD Opteron Processor 6344 with 32Gb RAM Currently running Win Server 2012 R2. Is a HP585-G7.
This is my Crunch1 in my computers if your look at my Computers on all the Boinc Project sites. Nope do not hide them....
 
 
I have plenty of SAS HP hard drives, so can swap OS hard drives if , and YES I WILL MESS THINGS UP. So can be a quick change back to Win Server OS.
 
So I am looking for tips from those who are running LINUX for what might be a great sticky for others to learn from.
 
As this is a pure CPU Crunching Rig, no need to mess with GPU drivers etc..
 
Which version of Linux should I look at??
Hard drive size is not problem, I run 2x 72Gb in Raid0, do not think LINUX would need more than this..
Do I need to be able to do command line instruction?? 
 
I know nothing, so appreciate your patience and experience.
All for more points for this AMAZING TEAM..
 
Cheers
Steve
 

Chris did a guide here with some good info in it.
If you can use C&P as much as possible as one little typo and it does not work. Unless you're really good at typing.
https://forums.evga.com/Guide-to-BuildInstallSetup-your-own-MultiGPU-Linux-Folding-Rig-m2682398.aspx
 
I still use the [H] folding appliance as it is set up to run BOINC all in one package.
It does not work with some newer GPUs right off the bat it has not been updated in a long time.
Works for what hardware I have. I may try mint again, been a few years.

Thanks everyone,
Got some good feedback and now off to look at the different options..
 
More info tomorrow as it is getting late here, more to come.
 
Much appreciated

i like ubuntu (aka ugh-buntu to my more purist friends:) as it's pretty seamless to get going and has lots of great reference out there. excellent starter option imo.
if you're not married to linux, and want unix fun, give PC BSD or FreeBSD a look. 

Nothing beats the simplicity of nano for simple text editing.
The only problem with systems like Ubuntu and mint is the GUI that you can't easily get rid.of. for a pure crunching rig a more barebones Linux distro is better. Especially if you're not concerned with proprietary graphics drivers.

I have always like the old Edit tool from DOS myself.
Used to Notepad now, but still have Edit and Edit32
Current Version of Ubuntu update the Video Drivers but do not have a way to manage the Fan Speed and cannot overclock the GPU.
I really only use my Ubuntu P2 to run some of the small BOINC CPU Projects like WEP-M+2 Project.
I also do not hide my computers.

I enable Coolbits to adjust GPU fan speed in Linux. Not perfect but it works.
 
http://www.upubuntu.com/2015/05/how-to-controladjust-gpu-fan-speed-for.html

A good summary of lite versions.
 

Good thread HK, I am also considering giving linux a shot without GPU at least for now so its nice to see everyone's opinions here.

Let's not start up the VI vs EMAC wars again, since all sensible folks know that JOE is the best.
 
 9-)
 
 Ubuntu and it's variants like XUbuntu (my preference for the INFINITELY better XFCE window manager over that junk window manager "base" Ubuntu uses) are the most widely supported in "scientific" work (and by far so in cryptocurrency work).
 
 I default to setting coolbits to 31 on all my LINUX boxes, as that setting works both with older NVidia cards like the 9xx series AND with the current 10xx series cards and supports all features on all cards at this time.
 For some unknown reason, Nvidia chose to redefine at least one setting (fan control IIRC) in coolbits with the 10xx series cards vs previous cards, which caused a lot of issues before folks figured out that change.
 
 I still overall prefer Slackware, but it's not nearly as widely supported and I suspect my preference is more about "I'm used to it and how to get it to do what I want it to do after using it for 20 years and some" than any inherent superiority over other distributions.
 

cuarc001
I'm thinking about playing with BOINC OS which is based on Arch Linux
https://delta1512.github.io/BOINCOS/
 
However, it is fairly new and still being ironed out. Looks interesting though.

Thanks for this, I am looking at it now....https://delta1512.github.io/BOINCOS/
BOINCOS Beta v2.0
 So far I cannot get this to work on an Hard Drive.
The img file works but I did have a hard time getting it to run and I found it would only run or boot from my USB 3.0 Port.
I will wait until they have an normal ISO file that I can burn to a hard drive.

So I had a SSD die on me in my Folding 2 Rig,
Started to load Mint, but looks like my hardware is too old, got a error at start of the install,
 
Warning PAE disabled. Use parameter forcepae to enable at your own risk.
This kernel requires the following features not present on the CPU...
 
yodap, more of the little hair I have is falling out...
 
So Installing Win7 Pro and mess with Mint another day.. 

bill1024
Try to get the win7 roll up updates, will save you some time.
I installed win7 pro on one of mine a couple weeks ago it went quickly.
For a while a year ago it was really bad trying to update win7.

Is not too bad so far, 20 mins in and over 60% installed...
Appreciate the tip Bill. Cheers

ipkha
Honestly, my go-to is xubuntu for its light window manager and synaptic for package management. My second system is plugging away right now. I'm going to try installing folding @ home next. See what my 8800gtx can do.

I looked at so many Linux versions, my head nearly exploded...
 
Appreciate your advice, I just need a little more time to play and see what works best..
Thanks
Steve..

ipkha
Linux is a landmine of options. Ubuntu derivatives are going to be the easiest. Boinc apparently needs a window manger to work. So Xubuntu really fits the bill, it will auto config the kernel and has support for proprietary nvidia and amd drivers. Many other distributions make it more difficult.

Arch does have a ncurses based boinc package for a superlight setup but requires a lot more work to setup. The best way to learn the ins and outs of Linux is to read the gentoo and arch handbooks. A test system for one of them is a good investment. Linux is much easier now than it was back in the 90s.

As always, good luck in your endeavor to learn linux.

Thanks for the info and luck...
Much appreciated ipkha....