server

Hello All:

I have older pc that I was wondering if I could set up a simple server on. It is an old 1000mhz P3 custom built computer. I have owned this computer for about two years now (before it was used at my old school for a distance learning class so it has all these weird video connectors) but when they upgraded their computer systems, they sold this old one off- thus me ending up with it. anyways- The computer has 512mb ram, and a small 40gb HD and a smaller 15gb HD. It is running windows Xp SP2, and thats about it. I either want to set up an small irc server on it, just to learn how it all works, or set up a small data/ storage server for my home. I dont want to spend much- if any money on it because it is so old. I really dont have any use for it anymore being I just bought a new pc, so this is it last hope before I donate it or have it recycled. Hope this is in the right forum..


Thanks much-

 

Well, you can always put lunix on it and have fun....
But the easiest way to make something of it would be to use it as a file server, and just set it up to share folders on your network.

 

http://www.freenas.org/ is a good software to play with for a free stable file server distro. Irc servers generally run linux, so might want to start by learning a linux distro, which can do both fileserve and offer the chance to run a irc server. Oh an be careful what content you allow on your irc server if your gonna be a public one, as many people can cause a ddos type attack on your server causing you to loose bandwitdh/possible isp problems. Good luck.