I need to build a brand new Windows XP Pro computer!

[IamAlanGrant]

I need to build a new equipment Windows XP Pro machine to run in a long-running environment. This environment is not connected to the Internet, and will never be connected. I have a Volume License for Windows XP Pro, so OS is not an issue...finding appropriate components is! Where would I find good quality components that are compatible with Windows XP? Any suggestions on a component list? Reliability is more important that high-power.
THanks!
AG

 

[Sapphire Thunder]

What kinds of workloads it needs to handle?
Also does the physical size matter?

 

[USAFRet]

1. Why?
2. Would XP running in a VM work?

 

[IamAlanGrant]

Pretty low-end: it's going to be displaying information from power equipment running in a power plant: turbines and the like.
It's a full-sized case.

 

[IamAlanGrant]

1. Why?
2. Would XP running in a VM work?

1. Why? Because the existing software is compatible only as far as Windows XP.

2. That is another solution, but we're trying to do this on the low-cost end of the spectrum.

 

[Sapphire Thunder]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($42.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($91.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 400W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular Fanless ATX Power Supply ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $439.23
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-12 17:16 EDT-0400

I know you implied that there is already a full-size case, but I made a super efficient and as high-quality small-factor pc which should also be super-stable.

I chose just 1x8Gb stick kit because that build has no importance on how memory is running.
SSD for fast load and boot-up times, which is also high-quality model, known for it's stability and longevity.
Small, efficient cpu to run it all.
Cooler to keep it cool and quieter.
fanless, high rated and high-quality PSU for stability, reliability and quietness
no dedicated gpu since it isn't needed.

 

[USAFRet]

1. Why?
2. Would XP running in a VM work?

1. Why? Because the existing software is compatible only as far as Windows XP.

2. That is another solution, but we're trying to do this on the low-cost end of the spectrum.

Then either buy an XP era PC on ebay, or use a current era PC and run the XP in a VM.

 

[IamAlanGrant]

1. Why?
2. Would XP running in a VM work?

1. Why? Because the existing software is compatible only as far as Windows XP.

2. That is another solution, but we're trying to do this on the low-cost end of the spectrum.

Then either buy an XP era PC on ebay, or use a current era PC and run the XP in a VM.

The problem here is a used machine will not bring with it the "comfort" of new components, and newer machines don't have things like db9 serial ports that will flow properly through to the VM. Though I am now pondering VMware Workstation as a possibility. The big challenge here is the users are not very capable of restarting a VM system...needs to be pretty simplistic unfortunately!

 

[IamAlanGrant]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($42.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.95 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 400W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular Fanless ATX Power Supply ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $452.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-12 17:09 EDT-0400

I know you implied that there is already a full-size case, but I made a super efficient and as high-quality small-factor pc which should also be super-stable.

I chose just 1x8Gb stick kit because that build has no importance on how memory is running
SSD for fast load and boot-up times, which is also high-quality model, known for it's stability and longevity.
Small, efficient cpu to run it all.
Cooler to keep it cool and quieter.
fanless, high rated and high-quality PSU for stability, reliability and quietness
no dedicated gpu since it isn't needed.

Thank you! I will take a look at the components suggested! I like stable and reliable!

 

[USAFRet]

1. Why?
2. Would XP running in a VM work?

1. Why? Because the existing software is compatible only as far as Windows XP.

2. That is another solution, but we're trying to do this on the low-cost end of the spectrum.

Then either buy an XP era PC on ebay, or use a current era PC and run the XP in a VM.

The problem here is a used machine will not bring with it the "comfort" of new components, and newer machines don't have things like db9 serial ports that will flow properly through to the VM. Though I am now pondering VMware Workstation as a possibility. The big challenge here is the users are not very capable of restarting a VM system...needs to be pretty simplistic unfortunately!

Right...so we need a serial port.
PCI-E -> serial port card, in a new PC.
$17 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Crest-Serial-Profile-Brackets-SI-PEX15037/dp/B00B5L9P36

 

[Sapphire Thunder]

Thank you! I will take a look at the components suggested! I like stable and reliable!

I changed the build a bit:



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($42.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus H97I-PLUS Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($91.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($22.69 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.00 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum 400W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular Fanless ATX Power Supply ($105.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $422.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-10-12 17:19 EDT-0400


Changed motherboard to one without WiFi.
RAM from 8Gb to 4Gb because XP can't use more. However, you can still run 8Gb if wanted. After all, some of the RAM will get allocated to integrated gpu.

EDIT: and then there is that serial port thing