setting up a server

[jj2005]

Hello i am kind of new here but i was wondering if anyone here can help me.

You see, since I have built myself a whole new computer (for gaming) I was wondering what to do with my old computer since it's just been here collecting dust and so I thought I might be able to put it to good use. So I was thinking of turning it into my own server for home use, of course, just to store stuff on it and maybe play some games like Counter-strike source. How would I go about doing this? Is it possible? If so, is Windows XP good enough to use as a server or do I need to use some other OS (like Linux although I have never worked with it)? I also have a linksys router. How would I hook up the server to the router?

Well that is all. If anyone can help me, I would realy appreciate it. Thanks.

Here are the specs for the old computer:

MSI K7N420 Pro motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 2000 1.6 GHz processor (it was my old gaming computer)
256 MB Memory
Western Digital 40 GB hard drive
a CD-ROM of course
nVidia geforce 2 video card
no sound card (but should have onboard sound)

Oh yeah, also there is no power supply because had to take it out so now I have to go buy one first. How many watts will I need for it to run good enough for a home server? 350W? 400W? Also, is Antec a good brand power supply?

Thanks for helping out a poor nub like me.

 

[TheVrolok]

Server is a very broad term. What kind of server? Mail, web, game, etc.? Depending on what you want to do it could run all different types of things. I have a 2ghz Celeron 256MB RAM that runs a web/ventrilo/email/shoutcast server without any problems whatsoever. It really depends on what your internet connection is. OS also depends on what you wanna do, but really, I'd recommend something like linux if you really want to get into it, but give us an idea of what kind of server you want, and we can better advise you.

 

[jj2005]

Oh well in that case I'm not entirely sure yet. I like to game alot though (Counter-strike Source and World of Warcraft, etc). I have Roadrunner which I think might not be fast enough since I think you need like a T1 connection or something like that to be able to run a server on. Ha ha. I was just thinking of maybe using it for something other than letting it sit here and rot.

Oh well guess I'll just sell the parts.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Leros]

He could run a server for his home network.

I use my old computer for:

bittorent (so my main pc is not bogged down)
shoutcast server
alarm clock (Winamp on a timer)
HTPC
backup (copy all my files to one of the harddrives)
file server (shared folders via Win2K).

 

[AdamSnow]

You can use that for a server for sure.

Web server, Exchange, File server, Backup server, Linux router, etc. etc. etc.

I have a small server at home that is much less of a system then that... You just need to know what you want to do with it... and do it...

And you dont need a T1 to run a server... if you are just using it internal on your network, you dont need an internet connection at all... if it is a web server, you can run that on DIALUP if needed... (I've done it!!) it's fine unless you start getting 1000's of visitors a day... and even then, your cable connection could do it.

 

[neit]

I think he meant as a game server he needed a T1, which is pretty much true, you need a fat upload rate to keep up with multiple users.

Anyways, a good use if you have a home network (your computer + family has other computers) you can have it act as a central source for files/backups. Make a couple of folders network shares and have one scheduled to do daily/weekly/monthly backups to a CDR/DVDR. Have a larger one set for just general sharing of mp3s and videos.

Thats a good way to get use out of it in general use, if people still do lan parties you could also have that as a central file server/game server when nnormally you'd be stuck with hosting with a client.