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What to do with an Old Computer???

T

TheEnglishJob

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 21, 2009
Messages
110
I'm currently in the process of building myself a new rig (the rest of the parts will be here tomorrow actually) and now I have an old Compaq Presario with an updated 256mb video card sitting in it.

What can I do with the computer??? I've heard of the firewall suggestion, home automation (although I have no idea how that would work), printer/file networking, and a few misc. others. Any good/creative suggestions, hopefully something practical (or if not just really cool). Thanks.
 
yo ucould make it into networked storage. if you do any sort of downloading you could set that pc up to be your downloader / seeder. takes some of the risks of viruses out of your main rig.
 
You could use it to learn a new OS (Linux, Unix, etc.), unless of course you already have experience with them, or actually run them on your computer now anyway. When I built my latest computer I took the old Micron I had and turned it into a LAMP server, running Ubuntu. It was visable to the outside world, thanks to DynDNS, but I didn't have it on all the time. It was more for just messing around.

I'm planning on getting a new computer sometime this summer, so I'll probably do something similar to this one, like I did to the Micron... because two weeks ago I officially retired it, by having it recycled.
 
Totalchaos said:
What can you do with windows?
Click to expand...

play games, use the vast majority of business software, not spend 10,000 hours reading poorly written help files in a command prompt, not get slammed on forums (RTFM noob)

edit: just playing guys, dont start a flame war
:)
 
put ubuntu on it and find a poor kid to give it to. answer every question he has with figure it out yourself. you'll either spark an interest or get the computer back.
 
What I did was turn it into a NAS box/FTP server/Ventrilo server/print server/web server. Lots of fun, anger, and overall really good experience was taken from that experience.
 
Do you need a nas or firewall? If not I'd consider donating it to a school or something. Let someone else get a good use out of it.
 
Do what i did, learn a new os, i put ubuntu on my old lappy and have never been happier :D
 
took mine and gave it to an eldery couple who didnt know much about computers but they used an old typwriter for poems/church stuff/ recipes. so showed them how to type them up... and they never have to retype again!(that was what they were doing if someone wanted a copy) seemed like a good idea for me anyway...
 
Donate the computer and write if off your taxes for next year. Part it out on craigslist or the likes .....don't setup and run another computer just to use up the parts and waste electricity.
 
CruisD64 said:
You can always shoot it with a rifle like I did! R.I.P. Apple II GS :)
Click to expand...

I was gonna say throw it out a window and see it go splat but your idea sounds like so much more fun.

Anyways...I'd donate it since it's tax deductible.
 
Take it out of the case, turn it on see if it turns on. Screw it on a cardboard box and hang it on the wall..
 
CruisD64 said:
You can always shoot it with a rifle like I did! R.I.P. Apple II GS :)
Click to expand...

OHHH THE HUMANITY! The IIgs was my 1st comp :( i wish i still had it, if only to remember the good times of 2 hours loading a paint program.
 
I received 2 Apple 2c's from one of my neighbors just last year...and the face of my Estwing sledgehammer was the last thing they saw. when computers get that old...there is no use for them at all. I could have went to the recycling center, but bashing an apple is priceless.
 
File server if you have multiple computers in your home and wish to share files. Firewall if you wish to use your new gaming rig to its fullest without risking security. Those are the two usual answers but its your choice in the end. Think about what it would be most useful as or if your want to get rid of it all together.
 
I am going to play the devil's advocate for a second.

I had an old P4 system that I wanted to use for windows home server. I decided not to as the power consumption of that old equipment was just way to high. What I am saying is that sometimes it is better (and greener) to just to retire old equipment.
 
DBAN the harddrive, pull out anything you could use as a "Spare part" (only something that would work in your new box) and then throw it in the trash.
 
i just give my old computers to my mom. she just needs an email box so it works out great. she gets a free computer and my old computer gets a home other than a garbage pile somewhere
 
In Toronto, Canada there is a computers-for-schools program. You might want to look into if they have something like that, in the USA.
 
ferrisnox said:
..don't setup and run another computer just to use up the parts and waste electricity.
Click to expand...

second that...

folding is great for a computer that was going to be powered on anyway...setting one up specifically for that dedicated purpose is kind of a waste of energy.
 
I keep old hardware around for backup. Not running - just sitting in a closet. There are times I have PC problems or I am in the middle of a build and i still need a PC to work on. I also have legacy components like floppy drives in old PCs that I sometimes use.
 
Use a jigsaw/bandsaw and electric sander to make jewelry or other useless accessories out of the motherboard and other cards. You wouldn't believe how much people are willing to spend on silly shit like that.
 
rek981 said:
I am going to play the devil's advocate for a second.

I had an old P4 system that I wanted to use for windows home server. I decided not to as the power consumption of that old equipment was just way to high. What I am saying is that sometimes it is better (and greener) to just to retire old equipment.
Click to expand...

+1

I have a couple of old PCs in storage, SMP PIII500s, that sort of thing. Sure, they'd be fine for a torrent box, but what a waste of electricity. I'll probably take them to the curb this weekend, since this thread reminded me about them.

You know what would be cool? Something minimal for torrenting, running from a 9V wallwart. There has to be one out there.

Hmmm. Going to go google. :D

OH COOOOOL!

First link I clicked:

http://techreport.com/discussions.x/16466

WANT!!! :D
 
Admittedly I'm still learning, but I'm pretty sure you could set it up to stream files to your tv (i.e. download from say Hulu, and watch it on your, presumably, much nicer big screen tv).
 
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