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I have three Amateur Radio programs which will only run on a Window$ machine and are even problematic on Windows 7. They will not run under WINE for Linux either, which I use for a couple of other Window$ programs. Thus, I am looking for ideas on putting together a rig that will run one dedicated program which needs 2 COM ports and is set up for Windows 10 or 11. Maybe just buying a couple of small Dell refurbished boxes already loaded with Window$ 10/11 and then cleaning out the cruft?

Thanks in advance for advice!

I have three Amateur Radio programs which will only run on a Window$ machine and are even problematic on Windows 7. They will not run under WINE for Linux either, which I use for a couple of other Window$ programs. Thus, I am looking for ideas on putting together a rig that will run one dedicated program which needs 2 COM ports and is set up for Windows 10 or 11. Maybe just buying a couple of small Dell refurbished boxes already loaded with Window$ 10/11 and then cleaning out the cruft? Thanks in advance for advice!

(post is archived)

[–] [deleted] • 3 pts

Does your equipment play well with USB to RS232(serial) adapters? A 'mini' PC platform sounds like a decent option for a single app system. Search for GMKtec mini PC on Amazon. Something of that sort.

[–] • 1 pt

I checked out the GMKtec mini pcs. Going to a couple of flea markets up in town to see what they have. Good advice from you all, and I appreciate it!

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

No problem and good luck. Hate dropping their name but there's some old lenovo thinkcentres out there that'd suit you well..as long as you have the right USB adapters.

[–] • 2 pts (edited )

Pretty much anything from a 3-6th/7th gen i5 machine should be very accessible right now, and companies are always tossing Dell towers that are boring but reliable machines. I've had good luck with Win10 on a 2nd gen as well, but you probably want to get as modern as possible.

I usually try and get a couple when I do a project like that, RAM and accessories all go into one machine whereas the second is spare parts. You'll want to pick up a hardware COM port board, and it should be good. Avoid the shit you find on Amazon and eBay that are "refurbished," those are essentially checked to see if they turn on and that's it - they're generally in bad condition because they just shoot them with shit black paint.

You could probably get away with an i3 but those are almost as bad as celery processors.

[–] • 1 pt

Just use a VM. There are tons of useful guides even on youtube for VMs and just about anything linux.

[–] • 0 pt

If he's looking for something that requires a hardware COM port in Win10, a VM may not work.

[–] • 1 pt

Isn't that the old printer port?

[–] • 1 pt

RS-232C, aka Serial port, or COM port.

IEEE1284 is the Centronics Parallel port.

[–] • 1 pt

If you need dedicated hardware: Dell optiplex are plentiful and cheap. If you want remote access look into a pi-kvm. Or look for old low end tower servers which have remote access built in. Eg HP proliant ML10 v2 (I have one of these and use it as a hardware test bench). If you don't need dedicated hardware then just use a VM.

It's impossible to remove all the cruft from windows 10, so you should get LTSC version which has a lot less cruft by default. Buy a key off ebay/bitify/etc.

Finally if you don't need internet, put it on a static IP and block it from the internet in your router.

[–] • 0 pt

Buy a key

What is this word, "buy"?

[–] • 0 pt

I use a Minix mini pc for plex, works well. would recommend, it runs win 10 but will not run win 11.

[–] • 0 pt

Seems vms are what you’d want?

[–] • 0 pt (edited )

Curious if you don't mind as to specifically which they are. I'm about 70% through development of a Lin/Win/Pi/Mac FOSS alternative to the RT Systems backup. I simply detest having to boot Windows for that one thing.

BTW, I have no problems running it (the RT Systems winware) in a Win 10 virtual machine using Oracle Virtual Box. Map the com ports to any of your native serial devices and rock and roll. Your app is worth a try that way if you've not already (sounds like you might have).

If you want a dedicated machine, however, search for 'Evolve III Maestro'. It is a Celeron-based 11.6-in eBook that will charge directly from 12 volts and has phenomenal battery life and low current usage. You can pick it up on Amazon for about $90 or other places for as low as $60. YouTuber KM4ACK has a good review with respect to using it for amateur radio. It comes with Windows 10. I have ordered one and immediately plan to wipe it and install Linux. It is no powerhouse for sure, but will run most ham software just fine per reports.