Old Desktop: Repurpose For New Use (Server, HTPC, etc) ?

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

Interesting question for those in this forum, I have an old desktop that I built that was recently replaced. For the past few months it has just been sitting around not getting much use since I got a newer machine. So my question, what should I do with it? =)

I've thought possibly home theater PC (HTPC), a server, or even something like FreeNAS:
FreeNAS 8 | Storage For Open Source


Anyway, just wanted to throw the question out there and see what other ideas people had! =)


Thanks,

--Asif

[drawkcab]

If you don't have an htpc, then by all means you need one. It can double as a server too.

The only thing is that you might want to think of the energy usage and noise. I run my htpc/server quite a bit throughout the day and I'm glad that it's an extremely quiet, low-voltage atom nettop rather than a full desktop.

[majabl]

Another option is to repurpose your old computer by giving it a clean OS install and then giving it away to someone who will get regular use out of it. Or even selling it.

[A4orce84]

Thanks everyone for your replies so far! =)

I like the HTPC idea, but unfortunately it's a big beige box...and nothing that is going to be low profile or quiet in my living room next to my TV.

I was thinking possibly server or FreeNAS, but if I decide to start ripping all my media for example...not sure how I feel about data redundancy if the drive hosting all the media fails.....versus an actual NAS device that has built in redundancy failure and hot swappable drives in case anything happens.


In addition, the hardware is fairly old (Core 2 duo machine) so not sure who would actually want it, or how much I could get it for. If you have any thoughts on approximate price, I'd be curious! =)

Thanks in advance for all the time and help so far guys!


--Asif

[mips]

I like the HTPC idea, but unfortunately it's a big beige box...and nothing that is going to be low profile or quiet in my living room next to my TV.

In addition, the hardware is fairly old (Core 2 duo machine)

You could always put the innards in a new case. Small expense.

That's plenty powerful for a HTPC with a GPU.

[A4orce84]

So like a case that will take my:

1. CPU
2. Memory
3. HDs (IDE/ATA HDs)
4. Optical Drives?

It's a fairly old machine, but if I can save most the guts maybe that would work.

[stalkingwolf]

not everyone needs or wants the latest and greatest. this one is a p4 dual core. it does all i need it to do.

And a child or even an older person that doesnt have a computer will not care
if they recieve a computer that isnt bleeding edge. it is a computer and opens
a new world to them.

an example, a family member just got a new laptop. they have never been on line, never had email, etc. they worked with gwbasic 10-15 years ago.

They are still grappling with the concept of using google instead of the yellow pages. and i mean the print version.

[mips]

So like a case that will take my:

1. CPU
2. Memory
3. HDs (IDE/ATA HDs)
4. Optical Drives?

It's a fairly old machine, but if I can save most the guts maybe that would work.

Yes.

But if it's one of those off the shelf compaq, dell etc machines then the MB & PSU might not fit as they don't usually follow normal industry standards (ATX etc).

Maybe tell us exactly what you have, makes, model numbers etc then we can take it from there.

You could build yourself a killer HTPC using OpenElec and add things like emulators (arcade/consoles) to it for gaming with a suitable usb gamepad. Could at the same time serve as a server or download machine for all your media etc. Lots of potential there ;)
Have a look at these links, really awesome:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/376752-A-Complete-Guide-to-creating-the-Ultimate-TV-Experience
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/418414-Milkman-s-Guide-to-the-Ultimate-Media-System

[A4orce84]

Sure makes sense, I built this computer in 2007, so it's not a brand name or anything.

The specs are:

Motherboard: MSI-7380
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=MS-7380-PB


CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo
http://ark.intel.com/products/35348/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E7200-(3M-Cache-2_53-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB)

Memory: 4 Gigs (Max mobo can take is 8 Gigs)

Video Card: Nvidia 8800GT
http://www3.pny.com/font-color9999998800-GT-512MB-PCIe-20font-P2562C396.aspx

Hard-drives: 2 IDE/ATA (300 and 500 gigs)
**Motherboard also supports SATA so I can throw a 1 or 2TB in there if needed**

Optical Drives: 1 DVD-Rom and 1 DVD-RW

Case: Old Beige box


Anything else you wanna know, just ask!

[mips]

Then you are fine with another case.

That PC is actually pretty decent spec, even overkill for a htpc. It's better (except cpu) than my current desktop.

[urukrama]

Things to do with an old computer (http://kmandla.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/things-to-do-with-an-old-computer/)

[A4orce84]

Is there a comparable case I can throw everything into? I'm sure it's not that easy, and I'd need at least a new mobo

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

Things to do with an old computer (http://kmandla.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/things-to-do-with-an-old-computer/)

Nice list. I think I have read that blog before.


Is there a comparable case I can throw everything into? I'm sure it's not that easy, and I'd need at least a new mobo


Sure makes sense, I built this computer in 2007, so it's not a brand name or anything.

The specs are: ....

I wouldn't think it would be harder than when you built it in 2007. I don't know why you would need a new mobo either. Those specs are good.

I wouldn't put anything mission critical on it without a good backup strategy. Those parts are starting to get old.

[A4orce84]

I wouldn't think it would be harder than when you built it in 2007. I don't know why you would need a new mobo either. Those specs are good.

Sure if there is a case out there that's small enough, not really sure what to look for. All the cases for HTPC's I see don't really contain anything as huge as my old tower:
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-163-081-02.jpg

So someone mentioned they are using their old machine as an HTPC/server, but has anyone thought about the FreeNAS stuff:
http://www.freenas.org/

Not sure how I feel about this in terms of redundancy...if you have a true NAS device, it continuously backs-up and allows you to hot-swap HD's as well. If the HD fails on my desktop using FreeNAS, I'm sure I'm hosed and I lost all my media, unless I backed it up manually.

[codingman]

Is there a comparable case I can throw everything into? I'm sure it's not that easy, and I'd need at least a new mobo

No it would not be, just go for a good case that has the ATX form factor, you just need to open the case and then unscrew the board and stuff, buy a new case and then put the board in there.

[codingman]

Sure if there is a case out there that's small enough, not really sure what to look for. All the cases for HTPC's I see don't really contain anything as huge as my old tower:
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-163-081-02.jpg

So someone mentioned they are using their old machine as an HTPC/server, but has anyone thought about the FreeNAS stuff:
http://www.freenas.org/

Not sure how I feel about this in terms of redundancy...if you have a true NAS device, it continuously backs-up and allows you to hot-swap HD's as well. If the HD fails on my desktop using FreeNAS, I'm sure I'm hosed and I lost all my media, unless I backed it up manually.

No,no,no, get a tower case, not an HTPC case! If you wish to get something that small then yes you would need to change your motherboard and cpu and all and dump them for a mini-ITX board and case.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

Sure if there is a case out there that's small enough, not really sure what to look for. All the cases for HTPC's I see don't really contain anything as huge as my old tower:


I was thinking of a smaller tower case. :)

[A4orce84]

Anyone have any links to any good looking ones? I'll star looking at newegg...

Also, while I'm at it...does my video card do the job in terms of 1080P or something similar? I read its "HD Ready" but not really sure in terms of specs if it can handle outputting to a large HDTV.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

If you don't want to salvage the parts or use it as is; then, you might try what I did.

I had an old laptop that I wanted to get rid of. I didn't want to give it to my grandchildren because it was to old, and I had already given them better computers. I didn't want to wait months for a recycling day in my community either.

I cleanded the hard drive with the shred command. I put Xubuntu on it (10.04 I think), and some apps with links to the applications like firefox, openoffice, vlc media player, and gimp on the desktop. I made the links have labels like Media Player, Office Suite, and Image Editor.

Then I put a letter on it with the username (owner) and password (P@ssword1) along with the specs, and shutdown instructions. I made it clear that the laptop was running Xubuntu Linux so they shouldn't expect to run Microsoft Windows applications.

I put the laptop and power cable in front of a recreation center near by. I waited outside the recreation center in the park were I could see it. I was enjoying the park anyway. I was curious if anyone would be willing to take it. Over a period of an hour, a few people looked at it and shook their heads. Then, a teenager looked at, paused for a few seconds, and took it away.

I hope the teenager was able to make use of it.

[A4orce84]

That's a cool story!

I definitely want to keep the computer if possible, as you see the specs aren't horrible and I consider it a decent machine.

I like the HTPC/Server idea so far, and looking at cases on newegg there are some cool ones.

Thoughts on the video-card situation though?

[mips]

Also, while I'm at it...does my video card do the job in terms of 1080P or something similar? I read its "HD Ready" but not really sure in terms of specs if it can handle outputting to a large HDTV.

That GPU of yours is overkill for a HTPC.

All the specs on your PC are WAY more than enough so don't worry about that ;)

If you want a case that look like a AV receiver or is 'wife friendly' (could be a deal breaker this one) have a look here http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=690&name=HTPC-Media-Center-Cases&Pagesize=100
Pick one that takes a ATX form factor MB and has space for several internal 3.5" drives.

[A4orce84]

Is there anything like a mini-tower? I like the idea of a vertical case to stick everything, but I don't think my entertainment center is tall enough for it to fit. =(

I was thinking maybe a mini-tower I could put on the floor next to the entertainment center might work.

[A4orce84]

That GPU of yours is overkill for a HTPC.

All the specs on your PC are WAY more than enough so don't worry about that ;)

I guess my question is, would I be able to produce a solid 1080P signal from a DVI --> HDMI converter with use of my video-card.

[mips]

Is there anything like a mini-tower? I like the idea of a vertical case to stick everything, but I don't think my entertainment center is tall enough for it to fit. =(

I was thinking maybe a mini-tower I could put on the floor next to the entertainment center might work.

Yes, you get mini-towers, you just have to search through all the stuff available on the net and look at the specs.
Example, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119258 just check that your gfx card is not to long!


I guess my question is, would I be able to produce a solid 1080P signal from a DVI --> HDMI converter with use of my video-card.

Yes as far as I'm aware. My less powerful 9600GT works fine. People are using cheap fanless GT520 cards that work fine.

Your GPU has VDPAU support for video acceleration, feature set A in the links below,
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/VDPAU#Supported_Cards
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_PureVideo#Nvidia_VDPAU_Feature_Sets

[A4orce84]

Thanks again for all the help so far everyone. Last question on redundancy with this HTPC / Server:

Not sure how I feel about this in terms of redundancy...if you have a true NAS device, it continuously backs-up and allows you to hot-swap HD's as well. If the HD fails on my desktop using FreeNAS, I'm sure I'm hosed and I lost all my media, unless I backed it up manually.