UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I was recently given an older 1998 RS/6000 IBM machine supposedly called a Shark and once used by either an internet dial up or hosting company from what I understand. Regardless, in talking to the wife of the previous owner who died, and from what I understand, it hasn't been cleared of original company data. Eventually I want to turn it into a web server for my video company after using it as a training tool to learn Unix/Linux and administration. Since I don't have a dumb terminal to access the computer, which is probably password protected anyways, I'm thinking I"ll probably have to go ahead and and move to another version of an OS and am thinking about Fedora possibly, but only because of what I read. I believe, and this is an assumption that the OS is AIX on the PowerPC platform. Is there going to be an OS better tuned to my needs then others?

Due to PPC technology you will be limited to either an old AIX version or some PPC Linux. I also remember NT4.0 had support for PPC, but I doubt you want that one I don't know what your needs are but if it is Video stuff, maybe this is useful for you:
Ubuntu Studio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also there is a faq for PPC related to Ubuntu etc., check the links:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=427714

Hi.

See also {Free,Net,Open}BSDs ... cheers, drl

The FreeBSD Project

The NetBSD Project

OpenBSD

After doing some reading Ive realized that the system I have is a Power 3 system, I believe the precursor to PPC. Now I'm wondering if anything will work on it?

A shark IBM for me is an ESS disk subsystem ,and yes if memory serves me it had power3 processor inside...

Not quite a power 3 200MHZ is more powerfull than a POWERPC 604E 332 MHZ like in a H50... So it can very well run AIX5L
I remember working with nighthawks Power 3 in a SP2 we had... (Power3 630+)


All the best

Hey thanks for the insights. From what I see I have a problem with the system. I found an error code list online and it's telling me I need an I/O board, but I think I may have a problem with the power supply. No fans come on unless they are on sensors(?) and I can't open the CD drive. Regardless I think I can buy something better or build out a Linux machine. I think this is going to become a parts machine for someone.
Appreciate your help.