New computer with PFSense?

N00b · Sep 17, 2013, 12:47 AM

I have no Idea what exactly PFSense is, nor do I have the technical know-how to really know. My question is, How can I get rid of this program that starts up when I power on my computer and how do I get it to go away? I just bought this used computer and I had planned to use it for work. However, it's looking obsolete since I can't get to the start-up menu or desktop or anything like that. Help?

kejianshi · Sep 17, 2013, 12:51 AM

What is starting up when you turn on the computer?

Also, why don't you flip the computer over, get the model number and manufacturer and list that also.

bones123 · Sep 17, 2013, 1:24 AM

You bought a used computer that boots to pfsense and don't know how to load an OS cause you want it to be used as a PC correct? :P

You going to need an OS install disc of your choice which will be Windows XP, 7.. Or even Ubuntu. Boot to the CD and follow the instructions. You will definitely need an installation disc, look around on the computer does it have a Microsoft sticker on it with the product keys? Cause you'll need that too if you going to run windows or you could buy a fresh copy.

Why would someone sell a PC that still has a firewall installation on it? Seems silly to me, they could have at least told you what you were buying.

kejianshi · Sep 17, 2013, 1:27 AM

Computer model number would make it possible to estimate what will run well on it.

stephenw10 · Sep 17, 2013, 7:25 PM

That is a new question! ;)

It may be setup to dual boot pfSense and some other OS (like Windows, Ubuntu etc) but that is not normally the case. By default pfSense removes everything else when it's installed. Do you see a boot loader menu before pfSense starts booting? It will be plain white text on a black background.

Steve

kejianshi · Sep 17, 2013, 7:35 PM

I'm getting this feeling like someone grabbed something in the dark of night in a strange house not understanding what they had.

stephenw10 · Sep 17, 2013, 7:40 PM

A bit harsh perhaps? ;)

Steve

kejianshi · Sep 17, 2013, 8:04 PM

Perhaps I should have added:

…and sold it on ebay to an unsuspecting customer.

Anyway - I'd put Mint on it with a simple MATE interface. Its free and works beautifully on older hardware.
OR - Perhaps even better... Use it for pfsense.

Pfsense is a very nice firewall/router. Its a good chance to get acquainted with it.

N00b · Sep 17, 2013, 9:49 PM

@bones123:

You bought a used computer that boots to pfsense and don't know how to load an OS cause you want it to be used as a PC correct? :P

You going to need an OS install disc of your choice which will be Windows XP, 7.. Or even Ubuntu. Boot to the CD and follow the instructions. You will definitely need an installation disc, look around on the computer does it have a Microsoft sticker on it with the product keys? Cause you'll need that too if you going to run windows or you could buy a fresh copy.

Why would someone sell a PC that still has a firewall installation on it? Seems silly to me, they could have at least told you what you were buying.

So all I need to do is Have another OS install disk (With the product key) and stick it in the disk tray during start-up? Or do I have to press a certain key at start-up to keep it from going into the PFSense menu? Thank you all for the help.

kejianshi · Sep 17, 2013, 10:00 PM

Often, just need to get an OS disk, drop in the DVD tray and reboot.

IF it doesn't boot from CD, might need to go into bios, usually either delete or f2 during boot, and change and save bios setting to boot from cd.

N00b · Sep 17, 2013, 10:09 PM

Verifying DMI Pool Data…...........
Boot from CD:

F1 FreeBDG

F1
/

Then alijndvciajncajnfdjdf And i bunch of other stuff I cant understand. Then:

Welcome to PFSense! >:(

timthetortoise · Sep 17, 2013, 10:23 PM

The boot menu is usually between F9-F12. Press each one individually over and over at startup to see if you can get a boot menu to show up. Put in your preferred OS disk, and boot from CD.

kejianshi · Sep 17, 2013, 10:33 PM

The funny thing is for most people on this forum that would be a good thing. :P

kathampy · Sep 18, 2013, 5:51 AM

He probably doesn't have email notifications enabled either.

kejianshi · Sep 18, 2013, 5:59 AM

You think?

bones123 · Sep 18, 2013, 5:45 PM

@kejianshi:

The funny thing is for most people on this forum that would be a good thing. :P

Lol that is funny

kejianshi · Sep 18, 2013, 5:48 PM

What kind of disk did you have in the CD tray when you booted up?

bones123 · Sep 18, 2013, 5:51 PM

@N00b:

Verifying DMI Pool Data…...........
Boot from CD:
Uo
F1 FreeBDG

F1
/

Then alijndvciajncajnfdjdf And i bunch of other stuff I cant understand. Then:

Welcome to PFSense! >:(

I wouldn't even bother with that computer if I was you, one of pfsense's major advantages is that it can run on old outdated hardware. I'm not going to waste any more time till you post exactly what you got. I want manufacture, model, and if its a dell the service tag number so we can see what hardware is installed in it.

kejianshi · Sep 18, 2013, 5:57 PM

It would be cool if we could get that angry face added to the end of the boot sequence of pfsense. Its cute.

N00b · Sep 19, 2013, 4:53 AM

@bones123:

@N00b:

Verifying DMI Pool Data…...........
Boot from CD:
Uo
F1 FreeBDG

F1
/

Then alijndvciajncajnfdjdf And i bunch of other stuff I cant understand. Then:

Welcome to PFSense! >:(

I wouldn't even bother with that computer if I was you, one of pfsense's major advantages is that it can run on old outdated hardware. I'm not going to waste any more time till you post exactly what you got. I want manufacture, model, and if its a dell the service tag number so we can see what hardware is installed in it.

emachines- Model No.ET1161-03
Origanally had Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1
AMD Athlon X2 4400 Processor
Nividia GeForce 6150 SE
Some High end disk tray thing
320 GB Hard Drive
3GB DDR2
15-in-1 Memory Card Reader? (If that's even remotely relevent)

Also burned a Windows Vista Home Premium Disk 32 bit and slapped that into the disk drive. Then went into the advanced Bios and set it so it read the disk first, then pressed some F-whatever key and also had the boot-up start with the disk in the disk tray. Here is the message I received: DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

Anyone have a clue what I did wrong here?

Thanks thus far.