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As some of you know, I own a Dry Cleaners. I have a windows based POS program that I run on a host computer with 4 others networked to it. I have lost 2 host computers due to hardware failures in the last 9 months. The enviornment these pc's run in is hostile/harsh/hot/dusty etc. The failures were a Lenovo and a Compaq. The oldest, most reliable computer I have is one I built many years ago. So, I'm thinking I need to build a new host pc and I'm looking for suggestions on hardware. Any help on cases, components, fans whatever would be appreciated. Any "modern" processer can run this program as it just boots into windows(any version) and we launch the POS software from a desktop icon. Thanks in advance!!!

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2008 Burnt Piston Award Winner!!!!

Does POS stand for what I think it stands for?

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"Build a man a fire and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll stay warm the rest of his life."
'93 Subaru Legacy DIRTBOMB
'98 BMW M3
2013 Rallyx Co-VP

Point of Sale. But in my own opinion, all PC's are POS's. (I'm a Mac person as I'm typing this on one and have 5 at home!) I use windows because I have to and I don't think bootcamp or Parallels would play nice with all the barcode scanners and thermal/ laser printers I have to use.

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2008 Burnt Piston Award Winner!!!!

I'm sure you're right about the peripherals. I've got a BS in EE/Computer Engineering, but haven't read the latest MTBF data, but for what its worth you're going to get more reliable hardware buying server-class machines.

In my small business, if we have a machine that can't be down for very long we'll buy two, and then automate backups every night to the second machine. If the 1st machine breaks down we just start using the second one.

You can use the "buy two" technique with cheap hardware, but with 1-2 year old servers going for very little on eBay it makes sense to spend a little more and get a used Dell or HP server. Note there's nothing really different between a server or desktop machine except that generally they use a more reliable class of hardware in the servers, and the servers physically are designed to have their parts replaced quickly.

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"Build a man a fire and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll stay warm the rest of his life."
'93 Subaru Legacy DIRTBOMB
'98 BMW M3
2013 Rallyx Co-VP

Take a look at the dell r210 line. The $700 one will likely be enough for most tasks. We're buying them for our customer deployments now. I don't have any direct experience with the r210 line but our r510/r710s have been awesome so far. They are rack mount but they are only 1/2 as deep as most servers. It'll happily run sitting on a desk, but it would be noticeably loud compared to a standard desktop (~49db) so if it needs to go up front it may be out.


http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/serv ... =bsd&cs=04

Also included,

Hardware Support Services
3Yr Basic Hardware Warranty1
Repair: 5x10 HW-Only, 5x10 NBD Onsite2

Renewing the support is somewhat reasonably priced as well.

Another idea might be running a networked series of Panasonic Toughbooks. If heat, dust and humidity are a problem, the Toughbook will hold up better to it, but will be pretty expensive. - AB

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'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

The thermal printer I am using to print customer tickets uses a parallel port. Is there a way to get a server to run this printer, or another work around?
Can these servers run "regular" windows? Sorry for the rookie questions, I've been smelling Dry Cleaning fumes off and on since I was seven. It's my excuse. THX!

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2008 Burnt Piston Award Winner!!!!

the last thing you want is something new. they're hotter, need more fans, more marginally built, etc. assuming it's a simple low-horsepower app i'd get some old p2 systems that have no heatsink or case fan and a low output power supply. these work great in rough conditions.

email me (jtower at gmail) if you want a turnkey solution, small business IT support is what i do for a living.

Would an Atom setup be up to the task? Low power consumption, fairly robust, can run XP SP3 reliably.

Just looked at one of our r210s waiting to go out and they don't have a parallel port. Modern servers can run regular Windows no problem.

Back in the day, when I built my PC's, the person I asked said that Intel stuff ws more stable and stay away from AMD. I also remember a discussion about a raid set-up. Thoughts?

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2008 Burnt Piston Award Winner!!!!

intel, amd, whatever. far less important than your choice of mobo, disk subsystem, and power supply. raid is useful if done correctly and properly monitored, otherwise a waste of time and money.

Jason. I feel guilty getting advice from you. I feel the same way when people ask me about "home Remedies" for spot removal etc.(stuff I get paid for.)The guy who wrote the software I run is about as much fun to deal with as a Pit Viper on caffiene. Not much of a people person. Hense, I don't go to him with many questions. Thanks to all who reply!!

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2008 Burnt Piston Award Winner!!!!