29 replies to this topic

[giannisgx89]

Install Elementary OS Luna Beta 1 and enjoy linux experience one again!

[Teebor]

Install Linux on it and learn about Linux if you have never tried it before

Use it as a media center

File Server

Use it for devloping programs or studying software/hacking etc. Something that doesn't require the power of a newer machine but could be fun. and if you break the OS - reinstall

[medhunter]

I don't think most people here take this seriously enough.
Other than Donating to charity, install Lubuntu and live the linux experience.
I have a similar condition here
I am interested though in how to make it a media server or file server.And how would it affect my usage of PC.
Knowing that I have 3 floors home with a Laptop(the one in signature), a Netbook, Desktop wih i7 930, 8GB Ram, SLI Nvidea.
Tehe old one is:
AMD Athlon X2 4000, on AMD 740 Mobo
Ram 2GB, HDD 80GB, WD 640GB

I am also open to ideas

[JustinTime]

Here are the specs, I got it in 2008/2009 so it is pretty old. Selling to help offset the cost of my new equip would be ideal. And thanks for the various suggestions, especially the time machine one So based on this, any chance for Craigslist or eBay? etc. Thanks.

[.fahim]

It has a higher spec than my desktop and that runs like a dream. You should give it to charity or donate it to someone who might need it that you know, or run it as a server.

[Glassed Silver]

That seems like an ideal sell on ebay or craigslist to me.
Don't trade it in, because unless your machine is a total piece of crap (which yours isn't) you won't get what you could sell it for yourself.

It's too good a machine to have it recycled, there's still much lifespan left for this buddy, so yeah, that and its value are an absolute NO for "free recycling" programs.
You only want to use those when you can't even get a dime on ebay anymore (hence: old and broken)


Apart from that, media server and honeypot seemed like the most intriguing ideas so far.
Time machine was my favorite though, but you need at least a Core i7 for that.

Glassed Silver:ios

[thechronic]

If you have enough machines (two is fine but at least 3 to make it worthwhile) you could install Windows Server and have Roaming Profiles (or whatever the modern equiv. these days is) - basically giving you access to the same files, desktop and settings on every machine. To be able to login non-admin accounts on the server you need to add them to a particular group (server operators if i remember correctly)

[+devHead]

.fahim, on 24 November 2012 - 21:01, said:

It has a higher spec than my desktop and that runs like a dream. You should give it to charity or donate it to someone who might need it that you know, or run it as a server.

Thank you! The same here, I've got an AMD Black 7850 dual core processor 4 GB of DDR2 RAM. The only thing is I have more storage (about 4 TB total) and a 80 GB SSD for my operating system and programs. Mine is from summer 2009. Windows 8 is smoking on it. His video card is much better than mine, it's a 5 or 6 year old Nvidia 8400 GS.

My recommendation: keep your computer, bro. There's nothing wrong with it. Pretty old?

[tsupersonic]

Don't sell it, they won't net you much money. I would donate it to charity or give it to a family/friend in need.

[+Fus10n]

Don't sell.. always regret doing this.. there are always a use.. FreeNAS if you want to turn into a file server, monowall or pfsense and you can turn it into a router/firewall

[Glassed Silver]

Fus10n, on 27 November 2012 - 16:31, said:

Don't sell.. always regret doing this.. there are always a use.. FreeNAS if you want to turn into a file server, monowall or pfsense and you can turn it into a router/firewall

I agree, I never sell my stuff either, but that may just be us.
Either way, I always cherish to have a fallback system, or in the case of retro use of computers many years down the road, you'll be glad to have working machines - if just for a spare part in another retro machine.

To add to this: I think that using a full blown system to run as server can turn into a waste of electricity quite quickly.
I'd either consider running the server on the main desktop that's turned on anyways and just "never" shut it down OR get an affordable secondary machine that's electricity efficient to run as server.
Could be a laptop, a netbook, nettop, etc... you name it.
Bonus for portable computers: they have their own USV onboard.
Pretty fly for a server.

Glassed Silver:mac

[paxa]

use it as a pfsense box. file, media server, backup server. or cram some disks in there. install vmware esxi and start cramming virtual machines in there like there's no tomorrow

[hooko22]

JustinTime, on 22 November 2012 - 23:29, said:

My last PC I gave away but this time, I don't know anyone so was wondering what to do? Is it possible to sell/trade-in used PCs? Any resources on where to do so? Thank you.

How about making a novelty indoor water fountain?

[n_K]

THE_OBSERVER, on 23 November 2012 - 00:28, said:

ive heard about it before, dont know where, but i would

Install linux server
make admin account a local account
create new admin account
install something like ftp/ssh
open to internet with DMZ
log all commands entered in

i think there would be more to it, but that would be the start of the idea.

Look around the net for honeypot scripts and programs, they'll do what you want and log what happens safely!
Alternatively if you really want ****s and giggles, make it behave like windows xp (install samba or wine and enable xp's sharing folders, etc.) and THEN see who tries to crack into it and see how far they get

[JustinTime]

Thanks everyone, I ended up buying a new Del Inspiron I660s with 3rd Gen Intel® Core™ i5-3330s processor, 8GB memory, 1TB HDD, etc for $395 (after rebates/discounts/offers). I was told that is a great deal so I took it. My current works great but I really wanted a smaller tower and plan to get the Acer T232HL touchscreen so everything new seems best. So how much should I price this system?