LebGeeks

razm

Member

PCI Video Card?

Does anyone know where to find a regular PCI video card?
I'm stuck. Can't find it anywhere...

arithma

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

Do you mean AGP?
I don't think any kind of motherboard that isn't older than 10 years requires PCI VGAs.
pcandparts.com sells AGP cards.

razm

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

No, not AGP.
And my motherboard isn't old.
My plan is to add one PCI-Express and two PCI cards.

I already checked pcandparts and they don't have PCI.

xterm

Moderator

Re: PCI Video Card?

Will be quite hard to find one. I remember using 2 x Voodoo2 VGA cards, they were THE BOMB!

kareem_nasser

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

why are you searching for such an outdated gfx card type.

razm

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

why are you searching for such an outdated gfx card type.

Like I said, I will be adding 3 cards, and PCI slots are the most common.
Actually, it will be 3 keyboards, 3 mice, 3 monitors => 3 simultaneous users.

The only thing missing is the cards...

I have dual-head on my pc now, but that's not what I'm looking for either.
So, I guess I have to order them online.

arithma

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

What OS will this freak run on?
I never seen something like that before, reminds one of the old mainframes.
Let us know

razm

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

What OS will this freak run on?

Linux of course :)

I've already done the setup.
And yes, it's something like a thin client. The exact term is "multiseat".

arithma

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

I think your best bet with modern hardware is to get a MB with dual PCI-E slots and installing two VGA's with double output each.

Flakk

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

pcandparts used to sell PCI cards last year. But not anymore.
You can send them an email if you want and ask about them.

LB1938

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

I've already done the setup.

What kind of multi-seat setup is this? Are you using virtualization software or just a multi-seat configuration for xephyr?

kareem_nasser

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

I was the one who was retarded in the PCI gfx cards days. I am a new geek actually.

razm

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

I've never seen a PCI card either...:)

...dual PCI-E slots and installing two VGA's with double output each.

Unfortunately, X cannot be started per head. There are other solutions, but not very clean.
And the whole point is using existing hardware, saving power and keeping the costs down.

You can send them an email if you want and ask about them.

Had already done that, no luck.

What kind of multi-seat setup is this?

Just multiple server layouts in xorg.conf, and xdm setup to start an instance of X per display.
I may need Xephyr if I go the dual-head route, but I'd rather not.

Anyway, I'm now convinced it doesn't exist in the country.
So, I'll try ordering them on Monday.

sys-halt

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

If your Multi-User Setup is just for Internet Surfing and normal usage far from Gaming and Graphics intensive, I would suggest using NComputing Technology.

NComputing is for Desktop virtualization and think client methodology. you can for your situation buy 3 Ncomputing and you will get a one network card of which it will have 3 network ports to which the network cable will be plugged between the Ncomputing NIC card a switch and the Ncomputing station. Ncomputing Station is a little box with plugs on behind to plug your keyboard, mouse, monitor and even a jack for sound.

you only need a good PC that will handle users processing requests. not that fancy but of course the more powerful the more fast handling your users will get. I have used it in our technical departments for 3 years and we did implement it in different high schools in Lebanon and the results worth the money payed.

check their website and see the different Ncomputing types they have:

http://www.ncomputing.com/

Good Luck,

razm

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

Thank you for the suggestion.

I had looked at nComputing, www.userful.com, and also the possibility of usb to vga adapter/cards.

NComputing's hardware seemed the ideal solution, but it's very restrictive on the software side.
Apparently, it is not actively developed for Linux, it only works for Ubuntu 8.04... Kernel 2.6.24... Moreover Gnome or KDE 3.5, which I didn't understand why. Not to mention no source available.

Anyway, it's $70 per seat. The PCI cards are $40 each, shipping included.

Currently I'm waiting for the PCI cards. I hope they arrive in one piece.

I'll let it be known from here once it works out.

razm

Member

Re: PCI Video Card?

I finally got the cards!
And after a few black screens, I now have a working multiseat setup in front of me!! :))
I also used the on board VGA, which gave me FOUR users instead of the three I was hoping!