Advice for a mid-range noob looking to buy a system

Hello

I am new to mid-range systems, and I am looking at purchasing a mid-range system second hand for leaning and experimentation uses. I know that buying/setting up/installing a mid-range system is much more complicated than purchasing a standard x86 system. Because of this, I had a few questions about a system that I was interested in purchasing. I would appreciate any information or advice that you could give me. If I have posted this to the wrong mailing list, please let me know, and I will remove it and report it to the correct location.


I am looking at purchasing a model i5 520 unit, with an expansion bay. The asking price for this unit is $100, plus another $100 for shipping. Unfortunately, this unit has had its disks removed from it, meaning that I will have to track down and install the software myself. I wanted to ask if the system is compatible with standard disks, or if it will only take IBM certified disks. This archived copy of the i5 OS appears that it would be comparable with this machine, but I am not positive due to my lack of experience.? I also wanted to ask if I will need any software keys to get the machine operational. I am not concerned with what I would need to properly licence the machine, but what I would need to get the thing working at all.


I would very much appreciate any help and advice that you would be able to provide.


Thank you.