Converting PC to Server

michaelro

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... :rotfl:
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 :cool:

gaming_guy

freenas - install that and it should give you all you need.

http://freenas.org/freenas

matthewhotdude

Yea free nas if all it's going to be a file server

n1ck75

As before - freeNas is definately the way to go!

michaelro

Do I remove windows or will the install 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)

totalsolutions

Microsoft have "Homeserver" Free trial too. Download burn to cd and reinstall from scratch.
Best way to go really. Access from anywhere and auto backups too. Built on Server 2003.

michaelro

totalsolutions wrote: »

Microsoft have "Homeserver" Free trial too. Download burn to cd and reinstall from scratch.
Best way to go really. Access from anywhere and auto backups too. Built on Server 2003.

Only a 30 day free trial and then it'll cost me £75+

As mentioned in my original post I don't really want to spend any money so was looking to use what I already have (Vista or W7) or use Free software (Ubuntu / Freenas)

gaming_guy

michaelro wrote: »

Do I remove windows or will the install 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)

if you format the drive (which you will have to as it doesn't use NTFS/FAT32 anyway) it will remove windows.

freenas uses it's own OS which which is based on FreeBSD .

also windows stuff will not run on freenas as it is built purposely to be a file server

Basil1234

i personal would run it on windows but not vista as is ram resource intensive if you got spare of win7 or even xp will do it. i would then run it as an ftp server for quickest results on your line. use client like cute ftp

Mr_Oink

I personally would *not* run it on Windows for two reasons: (1) I like stable servers (2) I like free operating systems.

Use FreeNas ;-)

closed

Take the drive out, and stick it in a nas or media player enclosure, not as fast or as cheap, but saves having a pc heating up the house whenever you want to get at a file.