Reincarnating Your Old Computer Using Linux
Put your old PC to work as an experimental learning lab for the aspiring PC technician in you.
Most desktop components are easy to remove and install. Hard drives, graphics cards, optical drives, and memory are the parts that most commonly need replacing over time, and they can make a huge difference in your system’s performance when brought up to date. Most parts come with installation instructions, but if you want some hands-on experience, start by removing and reinstalling the innards of that old PC sitting in the corner.Before you know it, you’ll be ready to soup up your system and eventually move on to building your own rig.
1. If you’ve always wanted to give Linux a try but are reluctant to abandon Windows, here’s your chance to put that old PC to work for you; Linux runs quite well on older platforms. After backing up whatever data you’d like to retain, simply download and install one of the many free variations of Linux (called distributions or distros), grab a handful of free Linux applications off the Web, and discover the world of open-source computing. Even easier to use are the many versions of Linux that come on “live CDs,” meaning disks that will boot you directly into a Linux environment without installing anything on your hard drive.
2. Even though you’ve got Windows firewall turned on and your router supplies NAT (Network Address Translation) and SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) protection, you are still vulnerable to virus attacks, spyware infiltration, and identity theft every time you connect to the Internet.
There are several Linux-based firewall distros available as free downloads, including SmoothWall Express (www.smoothwall.org), which requires a minimum configuration of a Pentium-class processor, 64MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, a CD drive, and two network connections. The nice thing about SmoothWall is that you don’t have to know anything about Linux; simply download the installation files, create a bootable CD, and install the application, which also contains the OS. A series of easy-to-follow instructional menus will guide you through the process and help you configure the box for your network. Just like that, you’ve built a “Smoothie,” which gives you, in addition to NAT and SPI, the ability to block specific IP addresses, enable port forwarding, set up a VPN, and sync up with a Network Time Protocol server.
3. Other than that you can always donate it to some organisation or give it to someone who is not in position to buy one, better with Linux pre-installed. Finally, if your old PC just isn’t worth donating or is too far gone to be reused, recycle it. Whether you decide to donate or recycle, make sure you completely remove all of your personal data.
For more on Linux and Open Source head (to my other blog).