Neverside

Compaq.

Ok, about 4 - 5 years ago my mum bought a compaq computer. It is doing nothing right now, just taking up space. Last night I got the idea of turning it into a linux box and using it for storage. Right now I have a laptop with a 18.63gb hdd in 2 partitions (so I use 12.7gb). I am thinking of building a computer, so heres my idea:

I install a network card into the compaq
I buy an 8 port ADSL switch and connect my laptop to the compaq, so I can share the internet
I find out if I can install a second hdd in the compaq, or if I have to replace it
I buy a new hdd and put it in the compaq, so when I build a decent computer I have an alright hdd, and can just put the 20gb one back into the compaq
Install a distro of linux (not sure which yet)
Use the compaq for storage and as a dedicated server for games when I have lans at my place (I lan frequently with my friends)

The specs of the compaq are:

700hmz celeron (this computer was bought before I knew anything about computers, I should have gotten a p3 instead)
64megs of ram (more than likely will take this out and put it 256megs)
It has a cd rom drive and a floppy drive
20gb hdd
No lan card

Is this a good idea or are there other things I should do?

You will need a network card to do anything over lan. Hosting games on that thing will be deadly, add at least 256mb ram to get at least one decent game on there. Basically you need to just get some kind of router or switch so you can get the 2 machines talking to eachother. You can also try just a cross over cable from the laptop to the PC but ive never done a cross over with linux. Also watch out that the hard drive you buy is not too new, some new drives wont be reconized, but im sure that machine can hold a decent amount.

For newbies to linux i would get Suse, fedora or another easy to install package. Try www.linuxiso.org for downloading all popular liunx ISOs (legal of course).

If you have any other questions just ask or PM me and i can help ya.

- Sir.

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Kind regards,
Eddy

I always thought dedicated servers for games didn't need to run on heaps good computers...

The problem is, my laptop only has the 1 LAN card, so a crossover won't work (I use ADSL).

And I probably would need to find out some more info on the mobo before buying a HDD

Well the amount of power they need is realtive to what you and the game companies think is a lot of power Best thing would be to check the manufacturers website and see what the spec for a dedicated server is - each game will be different.

A HD that you buy should work as long as it is a normal ATA one - not a serial ATA one. Also 20Gb is a lot for the server you may not even need to install extra space. If each game server is 1GB thats 19 games and 1GB for the OS.

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Why do we have to learn English? I speaks da *****

The main reason I would be doing this would be storage. I only have a 12.7gb partition and no burner. Also, it isn't really a waste of money, and I'll learn alot.