RIP - Time for a New Computer
In the meantime, I do have a couple of laptops, ones that'll get the job done, nevermind their vintage of circa 2010. That's the beauty of running Linux or FreeBSD: corporations don't get to tell you when you must spend again on new hardware!
.. it started with abruptly being cut off from the network. No matter what network settings I checked in the OS or modified in order to get back online, it was all to no avail. The network switch showed no light on the connected port, hmmm.
After testing the network connection with another laptop, found neither the switch nor the cable leading to it were faulty as the WiFi-disabled laptop received data from the wired network/Internet connection just fine.
Concluding that the desktop's onboard NIC was probably fried, I took the computer apart in order to reinstall a wireless adapter that I'd removed to conserve energy —I was using CAT7 copper up to this point and had no need for less reliable, man-in-the-middle prone wireless networking. This required removing some cables from motherboard headers to pull the motherboard out and install the WiFi NIC.
Well, to shorten the story a bit, a little tiny wire that connects the power button circuit board to the motherboard's header had been severed. After inspection and judging from the way it's constructed, it wasn't fixable as you might see in the photo.
And after a run to the local computer and electronic parts store came up empty, both in terms of finding a replacement part or replacing the entire case, there was only one choice left: purchase new.
This ASRock system is dated, roughly 2017 vintage, sure, but for everyday tasks, business (eCommerce updates, order and inventory management, comm, ...) or pleasure i.e. Steam [Mass Effect, Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Stellaris, Eve, Worms, ...], it was sufficient.
In the meantime, I do have a couple of laptops, a 12" ThinkPad X220 (2012) and a 15" Apple MacBook Pro6,2 2010, each will also get the job done, nevermind their vintage. If you were to guess which I'd prefer, you'd probably be right.
That's the beauty of running Linux or FreeBSD: corporations don't get to tell you when you must spend again on new hardware!
The ThinkPad was already running Linux but I wanted to see if I could get a larger screen to work with. Lo & Behold, after burning a Solus Linux ISO to USB, the Mac booted it just fine —just have to hold down Alt/Option after the Apple beep— and select the boot device: hard disk or USB volume. At that point you simply follow the bouncing ball, answer a few questions and voilà!
The new system on order will likely last me at least a decade, provided components live up to the task. Maybe I'll share the specifics when the time comes. Hint: it's Thelio.
In case you're interested, I will create a series of videos showing how the Linux install is done, from preparing the boot media to choosing open source apps to get shit done. Although the latter is all up to you 😝
Bon Chance ~
