From: "Donovan R. Palmer" <donovan at dmpnet dot org>
> "Lee Sharp" <leesharp at hal dash pc dot org> wrote:

>> I use Dell GX1, GX110, and GX200 small form factor PCs.  One 3com nic 
>> onboard, and 2 PCI slots.  The CPU rangers from 450mhz to 1ghz in what I 
>> usually find.  They are cheap, plentiful, and very solid routers.

> I am about to build a m0n0wall out of a Dell Dimension. I have bought 
> three Intel Pro nics to put in it, but it has a 3com already in it.  Do 
> you find the 3coms in dell machines performs ok, or should I replace it 
> with an Intel?  I had to replace it if it is not necessary.

The onboard 3com is rock solid.  I have found these machines to be fantastic 
with some basic prep.

1. Upgrade the firmware.  Some older firmware causes "issues."
2. Go into the BIOS and turn off; sound, mouse, serial 2, and parallel. 
(also turn off any USB you don't need)  Leave on serial 1, and turn on 
legacy keyboard support if it has a USB keyboard.  This frees up IRQs to 
avoid that conflict.
3. I install with Chris's live CD to make sure all hardware is seen by 
FreeBSD 4.11, but I cd to /tmp and ftp a later image to burn.

                        Lee