Headless Motherboard Selection

[BofRA]

Ok I need some help. I am looking to run a headless/diskless linux setup for SETI. I am looking for a motherboard that OC's tbred's good and can run without a video card. I don't even want a built in video. Straight up no video. So any suggestions? thanks for the help.

 

[Cerb]

NForce2 mini-ATX w/ onboard video. JUST GET VIDEO. The worst you'll do is have it display a prompt to no monitor. Otherwise most any would do, and just tell it not to halt on a video error.

 

[cakin]

Cerb is right - make sure it has on-board video, then tell it to ignore video errors. I havent found a motherboard yet that will boot without a video card - even if you have it set to ignore errors. That is why I have been buying every old cheap, cheap pci video card I can find on fs/t.

onboard is the only way to go!

 

[bgeh]

Originally posted by: ReaganCRW
Ok I need some help. I am looking to run a headless/diskless linux setup for SETI. I am looking for a motherboard that OC's tbred's good and can run without a video card. I don't even want a built in video. Straight up no video. So any suggestions? thanks for the help.

i recommend a Epox 8RGA+ or Abit NF7-M
but i have one question
what is headless/diskless setup?

 

[Peter]

Any mainboard can do that, as long as you set "Primary Video" from "VGA" to "Absent" on the BIOS "Advanced" page.
Oh, erm, any mainboard that has that BIOS setting

 

[Cerb]

Peter: While you are technically correct, it often works much like setting the PC not to turn on after a power failure...some do it and some don't, regardless of the BIOS settings (specifically K7T Pro2s and K7 Masters will come back on--period). Better to just get some el cheapo video. For this thing's use, a cheaper VIA might do (preferably the one w/ onboard video based on the KT266A), or SiS 730/740.

Edit: Biostar M7VIQ $56 at Newegg. Onboard video, cheap, big capacitors, and 5-star rating. For OCing you'd probably have to go w/ NForce2 or AGP/PCI video.

 

[BofRA]

OK for those wanting to know what I meant by headless/diskless here is a link to what I am trying to do. I was hoping for a solution like a kt33/kt400/nforce2 without built in video due to cost. I am looking to build around 10 units for SETI purposes. A cheap PCI video card is an option but most don't like OC's systems very much plus with the money to buy 10 vid cards I could buy another CPU/MB/Mem combo

 

[Cerb]

Good OC boards tend to be expensive, save the L7S7A2. With the SiS746 or NForce2, you have a PCI/AGP lock, so there is no overclocking of them--just the FSB and memory speeds.

 

[Drunkguy]

I've been thinking of running a similar setup. You might want to think about ASUS A7n266-VM. About $72.00 with on board video, just in case. No OC as stock, but there is a hack that allows adjustable FSB to 180 and adjustable multiplier. It is based on the Nforce1 chip, has lots of features for the money. I would be very interested in your decision and how things come together for you, keep us posted.

Jim

 

[oustedone]

Your gonna need to save every penny you can to afford the power bill. HeHe