OS for Dell Optiplex 760

[MykeLawson]

Yesterday I picked up a freebie at my local computer store and I'm now trying to decide on what to do with it. It works, has Win10 Pro installed. 4GB RAM, 2TB spinning drive, DVD. The processor is a dual core 64 bit Intel CPU (I forgot exact model). I'd like to put something on it besides a Windows or Linux OS, but given something this 'new', besides vanilla DOS, I'm kinda looking for suggestions and ideas.

 

[Starcat]

FreeBSD for the win!

 

[krebizfan]

If any BSD doesn't appeal, there is always AROS, an Amiga inspired OS for X86. The hardware compatibility list shows that Optiplex 755 partially worked a few years ago so there might be a chance for the 760. Or track down the OS/2 successor ArcaOS though it might be a bit too expensive for playing on free hardware.

I can't think of any other marginal OS that is stable enough to run on real hardware unless one is a developer for it.

 

[MykeLawson]

Well, I have never used FreeBSD, so maybe. If I do go the '...nix' route, I'd like one with CDE as the included desktop. It has been decades since I fiddled in the 'nix' world, and I don't relish delving back into that. Sure wish CP/M has stayed current and supported newer hardware.

 

[MykeLawson]

Yeah, ArcaOS is a non-starter for a freebie junk machine. They did have AIX for the PS/2, but I think that was customized to only support PS/2's.

 

[MrImprovement]

I have run CDE on FreeBSD, it wasn't bad, however for best results you should download the latest CDE and compile/install it; it will take a bit of testing to ensure that it comes up with dtlogin (the login manager component) but once set up I have found it runs well and is not very tough on RAM. The web browsing you do is what will tax the 4GB of RAM!

 

[hunterjwizzard]

there is always AROS, an Amiga inspired OS for X86.

I've had Aros loaded installed on a P4. It was certainly cool. I'm curious though where one finds software for AROS?

 

[krebizfan]

I've had Aros loaded installed on a P4. It was certainly cool. I'm curious though where one finds software for AROS?

https://archives.aros-exec.org/ seems to have downloads for most of the software compatible for AROS.

 

[hunterjwizzard]

https://archives.aros-exec.org/ seems to have downloads for most of the software compatible for AROS.

Have any specific recommendations for really good or must-have bits of it?

 

[krebizfan]

Have any specific recommendations for really good or must-have bits of it?

Most of the software I have used seemed workable but minimal. Cinnamon Writer would have been a nice executive word processor 30 years ago. Of course, with only a single program in many categories, choices are simplified. I haven't tried the games in detail since I have been using AROS under a virtual machine.