home sever help

I posted a simular topic here at http://forumz.tomshardware.com/net [...] 23156.html. The thread was not very active, but the response sugguested that building a "true server" was going overboard and that a NAS was probably a more appropriate solution.

I am looking very hard at an Open-E network storage solution. They were reviewed on this site and make modules that plug into USB or IDE slots that have a bootable embeded linux OS that will convert your machine into a NAS or iSCSI network storage device. You do not even need a hard drive for the OS, and everything is configurable through a web interface. Their lower end devices are about $250, but there are no licenses or other nonsense to deal with.

Not sure about file sharing "over the internet". Are you looking for a vpn?

You may be better off simply buying a commercial of the shelf "bring your own disk" NAS with a built in print server and a VPN capable router to handle the remote access.

It may be simpler to implement, perform better, and cost you a lot less money to operate in the long haul. You have paid for the old machine, but it may cost you an arm and a leg in electricity to operate compared to newer devices that are quiet, cool running, and efficient. There are some excellent reviews of these type devices on this site.