What to do with this old system?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

We now have an extra computer in the house, nothing great, just a Celeron 433mhz with 256mb ram, integrated video and sound and lan, 5gb and 60gb drives, intel motherboard. Anyway, we don't need an mp3 server, movie server, or any other file server.

I can't really think of anything other than to install some version of Linux of it more for a learning experience than anything else, but I don't know what I'll use it for

Any advice?

My last option would be to sell it with the 5GB drive for $100 or $200 if I can find the right person to rip off. I'd post an ad or two in some small local stores near all the other ads and I'm sure I could find someone who'll pay $200 for a system because all they need to do is surf web and check e-mail since I'm sure you've all realized how many idiots there are that buy this stuff

 

[WHipLAsh13]

One word E-bay.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
One word E-bay.

People won't pay $200 without a monitor, I know I can sell it easily for $200 by posting some ads. Yes, people are that stupid, but if they agree and pay it, it's their choice

 

[PanzerIV]

How many computers do you have in total? If you only have your primary system and that one then keep it as a reserve in case something happens to your main rig. You can use that one in the interim while your diagnosing or fixing problems with your other system.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: PanzerIV
How many computers do you have in total? If you only have your primary system and that one then keep it as a reserve in case something happens to your main rig. You can use that one in the interim while your diagnosing or fixing problems with your other system.

We have plenty other computers around the house

 

[WHipLAsh13]

Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

 

[minendo]

Give it to me.

 

[Ryan]

Old?!?! That baby's just hitting her prime!

 

[Lager]

Originally posted by: minendo
Give it to me.

Give it to minendo. He lives in the same state. Save shipping.

 

[shimsham]

ill give you 250

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

yeah or some areas will take it to give to the poor etc. I usually give my old computers to someone i know. My wife's best friend is well poor (got knocked up at 16 and the guy bolted) so I usually give her my old machines. anyway her son is great he deserves anything i can give him.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

They have plenty of computers, all are P4 and above with FP screens, they're fine I assume, this is a large library, but otherwise that was a good idea

 

[Balthazar]

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

Or turn it into a Linux router/MP3 server

I have a 433/256MB/60GB linux box running traffic shaping and storing movies/mp3's (of which I own all the originals) and I LOVE it....the traffic shaping alone is a god-send.

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: PanzerIV
How many computers do you have in total? If you only have your primary system and that one then keep it as a reserve in case something happens to your main rig. You can use that one in the interim while your diagnosing or fixing problems with your other system.

We have plenty other computers around the house

Seeing as you post on ATOT I figured you would but I thought I would throw that idea in there just in case.

As unrelated side note after having read your sig....Walleye now posts on Hardforum. Oh joy!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

yeah or some areas will take it to give to the poor etc. I usually give my old computers to someone i know. My wife's best friend is well poor (got knocked up at 16 and the guy bolted) so I usually give her my old machines. anyway her son is great he deserves anything i can give him.

If I can find a place that will give it to someone in need, I can do that, but places like Good Will I don't give this stuff to because I hate how people will come in with a 30k car and buy things just because they're cheap instead of letting those who need the lower prices buy them

 

[Modeps]

Install linux!

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

yeah or some areas will take it to give to the poor etc. I usually give my old computers to someone i know. My wife's best friend is well poor (got knocked up at 16 and the guy bolted) so I usually give her my old machines. anyway her son is great he deserves anything i can give him.

Good for you waggy. Very admirable!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Balthazar

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

Or turn it into a Linux router/MP3 server

I have a 433/256MB/60GB linux box running traffic shaping and storing movies/mp3's (of which I own all the originals) and I LOVE it....the traffic shaping alone is a god-send.

traffic shaping?

I'd like to learn more about linux beyond some basic commands I used on my website years ago, any articles on getting started with Linux?

 

[HokieESM]

You honestly could learn Linux... which isn't a bad idea. Even learn a bit about networking and make your own router. I know I learned some "efficient" programming techniques making some of my code run on older computers.

Edit: You can check out JustLinux forums to help you learn some more. I'm sure there are some other Linux for dummies sites out there (not that I'm any pro).

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

yeah or some areas will take it to give to the poor etc. I usually give my old computers to someone i know. My wife's best friend is well poor (got knocked up at 16 and the guy bolted) so I usually give her my old machines. anyway her son is great he deserves anything i can give him.

If I can find a place that will give it to someone in need, I can do that, but places like Good Will I don't give this stuff to because I hate how people will come in with a 30k car and buy things just because they're cheap instead of letting those who need the lower prices buy them

I agree. i hate good will. Though i do have to admit i make good money and i do go in and buy jeans (Use them for working around the farm). I hate spending $20 on a pair of jeans that im going to get cow sh!t on.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Balthazar

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

Or turn it into a Linux router/MP3 server

I have a 433/256MB/60GB linux box running traffic shaping and storing movies/mp3's (of which I own all the originals) and I LOVE it....the traffic shaping alone is a god-send.

traffic shaping?

I'd like to learn more about linux beyond some basic commands I used on my website years ago, any articles on getting started with Linux?

Install it and go from there. Google any questions/problems.

 

[WHipLAsh13]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: WHipLAsh13
Or you could be really nice and donate it to your library.

yeah or some areas will take it to give to the poor etc. I usually give my old computers to someone i know. My wife's best friend is well poor (got knocked up at 16 and the guy bolted) so I usually give her my old machines. anyway her son is great he deserves anything i can give him.

If I can find a place that will give it to someone in need, I can do that, but places like Good Will I don't give this stuff to because I hate how people will come in with a 30k car and buy things just because they're cheap instead of letting those who need the lower prices buy them

I hear ya. Through the library I donated an old Compaq 500 mhz Celeron I had. But I guess my assumption that all libraries had this progarm was just that an assumption.

 

[waggy]

how would that machine do as a tivo like device? if it works thats not a bad idea. that is unless you already have a tivo

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: waggy
how would that machine do as a tivo like device? if it works thats not a bad idea. that is unless you already have a tivo

we don't have a tivo, but we have another system few years old, 733mhz celeron that has a tv card and next to the tv connected with svideo out, not a powerful system either and we hardly ever record things in my home...

Now that you bring that up, is there any OS or program that can make it easier to record programs and such? Maybe a better interface or something because looking at a windows desktop on a tv isn't exactly clear

 

[Iron Woode]

I just thought I'd throw my $.02 worth in:

I use an old K6 3 - 400 system as my router/Firewall/Printserver/etc.... I use Freesco 0.32 and it works great.

You could also install Mandrake 9.2 and experiment with Linux.