Uses for an old computer

rmg1

Hi all

My OH's XP desktop has just gone belly-up (I think the HDDs had it).
She's not got a little netbook (she's been after one for ages and this was the perfect excuse) so I'm looking for uses for the old machine.
I have some spare HDDs to put in it (it's IDE and the HDDs are not big, one of them is 8GB (yes 8)).
It's got 1GB RAM (it's original DDR and I can't find any to add more) and was running XP (can't remember the exact version but I've got the disc somewhere).


I'd like to give it a new lease of life (and basically use it as a tinkering machine).

Anyone any ideas?

NiftyDigits

Western Digital 80GB HDD PATA Internal Hard Drive 7200rpm 3.5" £6.97

rmg1

Thanks Nifty, but I've got some HDDs kicking around.
I'm more interested in uses I can put the computer to tbh.

gonzo127

main uses i can think of would be

Linux testing box

or fit it with a graphics card (probably AGP if its got XP on it) and run it as a HTPC - i have a old system with a single core sempron processor 1gb ram and a 7600GS graphics card and it is fine streaming netflix, iplayer etc to my tv

put it in the kitchen as a recipe storage area/ entertainment system whilst cooking (not bothered if you spill stuff on it)

use it solely as a [EMAIL="folding@home"]folding@home[/EMAIL] box

rmg1

Hi Gonzo - I'd forgotten all about the [EMAIL="SETI@Home"]SETI@Home[/EMAIL] and [EMAIL="folding@Home"]folding@Home[/EMAIL] projects.
Think I'll drop Linux on it (of some flavour or another) and run one (or both) of those on it.
Do you know if they'll run side-by-side?

rmg1

gonzo127 wrote: »

fit it with a graphics card (probably AGP if its got XP on it) and run it as a HTPC - i have a old system with a single core sempron processor 1gb ram and a 7600GS graphics card and it is fine streaming netflix, iplayer etc to my tv

It's already got a graphics card in it (can't remember which one).
How do I set it up for streaming?
And will it run the [EMAIL="folding@home"]folding@home[/EMAIL] program as well?

welshee

I have got an old boot of a desktop which i use just for streaming to my hd television in the front room.
My mate kindly lets me use his SKYGO account (no extra cost to me or him) and i stream all sports etc.for nowt.

Works great and i also get the full entertainment package too.

I just buy him a pint when i see him in the local.....sky for free....

I know you can get all types of streaming channels but the skygo never buffers even on High stream.

I only use the streaming channels for pay per view boxing etc.;);):p
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

gonzo127

trying to cover your posts,

folding - you could probably run both, however you would probably have to run the seperate clients for each, one on CPU only and the other on GPU only (i expect they will have a version for each) - disclaimer - i have not actually done this so do not know if it will work but cant see a reason why it wouldnt

streaming - since most of the ones i use are through your web browser, very easily, it should just connect to the internet and then browse to the relevent website ie netflix, i player, 4od, blinkbox etc, and click on what you want to watch then click to full screen and bobs your uncle it should work - i have personally set up bookmarks on the web browser so that i just click on one and i takes to the website just to save me having to type it in - you can also set up the PC with a romote control app so that you can control it from your phone for example https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goldworm.remotecontrol&hl=en

streaming and folding - yes this would work as folding uses 'free' computing cycles so should not take up the resources you would want for streaming as it will stop folding whilst it is streaming and start up again once you stopped streaming

27col

I am not sure that I have understood a word of this thread, so far.

gonzo127

oh and you might also need to set it up for duel boot as some of the streaming services use silverlight, which is not compatable with linux, yes they have moonlight but its only semi compatable and wont work with things such as netflix due to the heavy DRM on their streaming (usually works with the none paid for streaming sites but not always)

welshee

gonzo127 wrote: »

oh and you might also need to set it up for duel boot as some of the streaming services use silverlight, which is not compatable with linux, yes they have moonlight but its only semi compatable and wont work with things such as netflix due to the heavy DRM on their streaming (usually works with the none paid for streaming sites but not always)

As you state silverlight may be required...it is for SKYGO.