What to do with old PC?

[JustinTime]

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.

[Draconian Guppy]

sell it on ebay?

[Nomad_]

Craigslist

[Aergan]

Redeploy as a media/file server.

[The_Observer]

install linux, lock it down, open it up to the internet and see who logs into it.

[DrJohnSmitherson]

install linux, lock it down, open it up to the internet and see who logs into it.

That is VERY interesting. Will you elaborate on that some?

[azspeedbullet]

Depending on the specs, it can make a nice home server or media server

[The_Observer]

That is VERY interesting. Will you elaborate on that some?

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.

[devHead]

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.

Kinda depends on the specs. How old is it? If it's not super old, you could probably get something for it on Craigslist. I find it funny sometime how some label a computer "old" when it's from just 3 years ago.

[Hum]

Modify it into a time machine that sends messages into the Past.

[The King of GnG]

eBay, definitely.

[Crisp]

Overclock the crap out of it, then remove the heatsink. Record and upload to YouTube. /s

Depending on the spec, could use as a pfsense box or home media server.

[Guest]

Depends on the parts, I'd either keep it for spares or use it as a file server.

[neo1911]

Push it out of the window!

[cork1958]

Best Buy and Goodwill will take it off your hands for free, recycle.

Yeah,

How old is it? Most people on here think anything past a year or 2 is old. I could only wish that ANY of my 8 computers were that new!! My "newest" machine is 5 years old, although all 8 run Windows 7 perfectly and quickly.

Had Windows 8 Preview on a few of them and they ran just as well, but sticking with Windows 7.

[giannisgx89]

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

[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 :D So based on this, any chance for Craigslist or eBay? etc. Thanks.

[+Fahim S. MVC]

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. (Y)

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. :p ;)

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]

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.

[fusi0n]

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