Uses for old Computer
Last response: in Linux/Free BSD
I have an old computer and I am not sure of what to do with it.
Specs:
Intel Pentium4 @2.4Ghz (dual core)
Nvidia GeForce4 MX 420
256MB RAM
120GB HDD
i was thinking of running xubuntu, will it work well?
what are some other uses?
additional thoughts:
media computer
network computer (that holds shared files on the network)
selling?
if you need any more info just ask
Specs:
Intel Pentium4 @2.4Ghz (dual core)
Nvidia GeForce4 MX 420
256MB RAM
120GB HDD
i was thinking of running xubuntu, will it work well?
what are some other uses?
additional thoughts:
if you need any more info just ask
More about : computer
Difficult to say for sure, but there's an easy way to find out. Try it and see - you have the hardware and only you can decide what is acceptable performance for your needs.
Personally, I would put a 1 or 2 TB hard disk in it, install FreeBSD, and use it as network storage. (FreeNAS will do this for you.)
Personally, I would put a 1 or 2 TB hard disk in it, install FreeBSD, and use it as network storage. (FreeNAS will do this for you.)
Ijack said:
Difficult to say for sure, but there's an easy way to find out. Try it and see - you have the hardware and only you can decide what is acceptable performance for your needs.Personally, I would put a 1 or 2 TB hard disk in it, install FreeBSD, and use it as network storage. (FreeNAS will do this for you.)
and will the computer be speedy enough to do this?
how difficult is this to setup?
Related ressources
- Uses for Old Computers - Forum
- uses for old computer - Forum
- Is it possible to take an old hard drive and use it in a new computer ? - Forum
- Can I use my old hard drive in my new computer ? - Forum
- Using an old hard drive with an old OS on a new computer - Forum
Pyroflea said:
Personally I prefer LXDE over XFCE, but that's just preference. Either should run just fine on a rig with those specs.I would also do what iJacks suggested if it were up to me.
k i have no idea wat you are talking about
theproblem with ijack's suggestion is that i dont want to spend the $60 on a terrible computer.
Best solution
My observations:
1. It will not like HD video and no HDMI out.
2. It has limited ram
3. As a file server the P4 chip will eat electricity. (it's just gone up 15% per kWh here!)
Suggestions:
1. Run Puppy, Slax or DSL and it's a perfectly workable desktop
2. For any of the Ubuntu derivatives try and find at least another 256mb of ram.
3. It could make an audio PC using to play your MP3's etc. Disk is big enough and you're not likely to worry about an old PC if you have a party or friends want to play DJ. Old sound blaster card would improve over the on-board efforts.
For what it's worth I'm picking up a similar box this week as payment for helping a friend move house. It's going to get 2Gb of old ram I have and a DVD RW drive and replace my brothers somewhat sick EeePC 701. The extra core and 1.5Ghz speed boost will see him right for another year or so.
1. It will not like HD video and no HDMI out.
2. It has limited ram
3. As a file server the P4 chip will eat electricity. (it's just gone up 15% per kWh here!)
Suggestions:
1. Run Puppy, Slax or DSL and it's a perfectly workable desktop
2. For any of the Ubuntu derivatives try and find at least another 256mb of ram.
3. It could make an audio PC using to play your MP3's etc. Disk is big enough and you're not likely to worry about an old PC if you have a party or friends want to play DJ. Old sound blaster card would improve over the on-board efforts.
For what it's worth I'm picking up a similar box this week as payment for helping a friend move house. It's going to get 2Gb of old ram I have and a DVD RW drive and replace my brothers somewhat sick EeePC 701. The extra core and 1.5Ghz speed boost will see him right for another year or so.
audiovoodoo said:
My observations:1. It will not like HD video and no HDMI out.
2. It has limited ram
3. As a file server the P4 chip will eat electricity. (it's just gone up 15% per kWh here!)
Suggestions:
1. Run Puppy, Slax or DSL and it's a perfectly workable desktop
2. For any of the Ubuntu derivatives try and find at least another 256mb of ram.
3. It could make an audio PC using to play your MP3's etc. Disk is big enough and you're not likely to worry about an old PC if you have a party or friends want to play DJ. Old sound blaster card would improve over the on-board efforts.
For what it's worth I'm picking up a similar box this week as payment for helping a friend move house. It's going to get 2Gb of old ram I have and a DVD RW drive and replace my brothers somewhat sick EeePC 701. The extra core and 1.5Ghz speed boost will see him right for another year or so.
for puppy os, do i have to have a clean new disk (CD), or can i use an old one with deleted data?
I'd suggest upping the RAM to 512MB, keep wxisting hdd, install antiX-M55-i686; partition
/ ext4 8GB, /home ext4 100+ GB, swap 1GB.
Run smxi and install liquorix kernel
have fun!
/ ext4 8GB, /home ext4 100+ GB, swap 1GB.
Run smxi and install liquorix kernel
have fun!
chamaecyparis said:
I'd suggest upping the RAM to 512MB, keep wxisting hdd, install antiX-M55-i686; partition / ext4 8GB, /home ext4 100+ GB, swap 1GB.
Run smxi and install liquorix kernel
have fun!
whats your best suggestion for current RAM?
Q:
A: . . . to create a swap file
After install of the distro (BTW, I must have been thinking of the Toyo tires on my 4WD when I said 'M55' as it should have been M11), I'd suggest downloading and installing your favorite text editor if you do not like to use vi -- for ex.
Midnight Commander
Then all that needs be done is to enter the command
A 512MB swap file should be plenty, so just follow the example in link.
Best wishes!
nnaatthhaannx2 said:
whats your best suggestion for current RAM?A: . . . to create a swap file
After install of the distro (BTW, I must have been thinking of the Toyo tires on my 4WD when I said 'M55' as it should have been M11), I'd suggest downloading and installing your favorite text editor if you do not like to use vi -- for ex.
Midnight Commander
before having to append the /etc/fstab with
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install mc
[see e) referred to in link above].
/swapfile1 swap swap defaults 0 0
Then all that needs be done is to enter the command
then append.
sudo mcedit /etc/fstab
A 512MB swap file should be plenty, so just follow the example in link.
Best wishes!
Oh, forgot to ask if you are in the UK? I might have 2x 128Mb DDR2 DIMM's I could post you if that would help.
[off topic]
Just in case anybody knows... I got given an old HP SFF box but the BIOS is locked down and even after doing the battery trick it's still asking me for a BIOS password (I can boot OK but I want to tweak a few things). Is there a clear switch on the old HP hardware at all or do people think flashing the BIOS is my best option?[/off topic]
[off topic]
Just in case anybody knows... I got given an old HP SFF box but the BIOS is locked down and even after doing the battery trick it's still asking me for a BIOS password (I can boot OK but I want to tweak a few things). Is there a clear switch on the old HP hardware at all or do people think flashing the BIOS is my best option?[/off topic]
audiovoodoo said:
[off topic]
Just in case anybody knows... I got given an old HP SFF box but the BIOS is locked down and even after doing the battery trick it's still asking me for a BIOS password (I can boot OK but I want to tweak a few things). Is there a clear switch on the old HP hardware at all or do people think flashing the BIOS is my best option?[/off topic]
Have you tried those BIOS PW defaults you can find on the internet?
amdfangirl said:
Have you tried those BIOS PW defaults you can find on the internet?Like here, do you mean?
chamaecyparis said:
Like here, do you mean?Psk, you are supposed to make people Google, not do it for them
. audiovoodoo said:
Errr... What's google and how can I get IDM to work??
LOL -- luv ur srcasm!
BTW -- set up a friend, who has a similar SFF IBM, with Swift Linux -- check it out, audiovoodoo!
audiovoodoo said:
Errr... What's google and how can I get IDM to work??
It is now a sticky.
Anyone caught posting another one of those threads will have their thread removed.
audiovoodoo said:
I'll have a look (see my rant in another thread about Fedora!) along with Mint. It looks like the field has changed a bit since I last played with Linux in any depth.Mint is really the best direction for beginner Linux.
Related ressources:
- ForumComputer uses up more resources than it should be
- ForumVery Old Computer Being used 24/7
- ForumWhat happens when the computer sais the graphic driver is to old to use ?
- ForumCant use programs on old hard drive installed on new computer
- ForumProblems with old computer build
- ForumUseing my old hard in my new build computer .
- ForumWhat happens when the computer sais the graphic driver is to old to use ?
- ForumBest linux for Old computer ?
- ForumUpgrading a old computer
- ForumGaming computer for my 13yr old son Help!
- ForumNew Win7 Computer - using old XP Drives?
- ForumHelp with an old computer
- ForumBoot Problems
- ForumWhat can I use my old computer for?
- ForumNew computer?!
- More resources
!