Converting PC to Server
 

Have an old PC that I was considering junking but am thinking about using it as a file server.

Was my mates originally so it's probably riddled with viruses from dodgy sites etc :Suspiciou

What's the best way to set up something like this?
Wipe everything and start from scratch (re-install windows) to get a good solid base?
I assume I can run windows (vista) instead of forking out for ms home server?
Security - What do I need?
As I'll be connecting to it from other laptops / xbox etc, how does security work - ie If something finds it's way onto my laptop, can it get at the server via the network?

Fairly new to this sort of thing so any advice (inc req programs) would be great :thumb:

You could go Windows, or why not try something like Ubuntu (a Linux based OS)?

Free and should run much quicker than Windows on older kit.

What kind of server functions do you want to run?

If you purely want a file server then I would echo olliecampbell and use a flavour of Linux like Ubuntu.

:)

or just get a NAS? or use freenas.org.

Want somewhere to store Music, Pics & the odd film which I can access via xbox or laptop.

I manage without this functionality at the moment so not looking to invest any money if I can help it, so a NAS wouldn't interest me.

Thanks for the Ubuntu tip - Heard this once or twice - I'll read up on it :thumb:

Also hoping to teach myself a thing or two on the way so any more advice / tips are welcome.

Freenas.org or openfiler - both will do your job, both are free, light on hardware requirements (although fussy about chipsets), and in my opinion more stable than windows.

Apologies, I assumed the freenas might have been an on-line file store and didn't consider it.

Had a quick look and it's certainly a possibility - Cheers :thumb:

Do I remove windows or will the install of either ubuntu or freenas do it for me?

Do I need to format the drive's first?

Don't want anything left behind that could cause issues in the future (viruses etc)

Assume I will need 3rd party browser for updates etc?

check out Google for vortexbox - great nas server OS and although its geared towards music it'll do anything - all over common streaming protocls :)

cheers

Ubuntu will do all of it for you, and will also keep itself up to date as well...:)

Ubuntu :thumb:

Its so fat now, will it suit an older PC?