Using my old PC as a web/file server?

I have an old desktop computer that I've been trying to sell for AGES. I guess nobody is looking for computers because it was advertised at a dirt cheap price on craigslist, local papers, etc. Anyways, I was wondering if it would be worth it to set it up as a home file server, a web dev server (I have a web host for actual production use), and maybe host a few server applications (ex: ventrillo). The computer is actually an old Dell that I cannibalized after the motherboard being destroyed by lightning, so it has fairly new parts in it.

The specs are:

P4 3.4GHz w/ HT and Artic Cooling Freezer 7
3GB DDR2 533 RAM
80GB hdd (will upgrade the hard drive if it's even worth using as a
server)
basic dvd rom
430 Watt Thermaltake PSU (it might be important to note that it is only 60% efficiency)
ATI Radeon x600 256MB
Antec 300 case

It's not a really beefy machine, I just can't see giving it away or putting it in the corner to just collect dust. I have Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and I am confident in my skills in operating most Linux operating systems. I'd also be using it to tinker with when I learn new things in my server admin classes (I'm finishing my 2nd year in college at the moment so I'm still learning)

Also, my house is quite old and the electrical wiring is pretty poor (it MIGHT be up to code, then again, where I live most people don't even know what regulations are or let alone know how to spell it...) Would it be safe to leave it running all day and is it going to run up my electric bill because of the PSU efficiency? I only have 5mbit cable internet, but I won't be running very bandwidth intense services on it so it should be ok.

I should elaborate on why I am concerned about the power. The circuits should be fine, but I'm more concerned about fire hazard. What is the likelihood that the server could cause an electrical fire? Again, thank you all for the feedback!

Solution 1:

This would make a great ****Windows Home Server** box**. You can buy a copy of the software for $100. Add a couple hard drives (1 to 2 TB each).

All your other PCs will automatically back up each night to the WHS, and any files you put in its shares are automatically duplicated across 2 hard drives. Any 1 drive dies and you lose nothing.

Solution 2:

Well, I have a lower specification machine as a working server (been meaning to upgrade for ages, but, nothing wrong and CPU never goes above 20%).

It may struggle slightly with Windows 2008 - My one can run just fine, but any MMC window seems to take AGES to load, which is a nightmare, as for actual serving - it is fine (e.g. IIS interface is so slow, but actually requesting a site - you wouldn't know it was old hardware!)

After about a week, I downgraded to Windows 2003 and it works very well indeed.

If your house has old wiring, I would look in to buying a UPS. I have five machines here on 24/7 and they always used to blow fuses. After buying the UPSs, they seem to regulate the flow and I haven't had a problem since.

As for the actual power unit - If you are going to leave the machine on 24x7, it really could pay for itself inside a year if you upgrade to a 90%+ certified device. Buy a kill-a-watt type device and measure yourself.

Lastly, as to what to actually run... If you have a need for ASP/ASP.Net or just want a bit of an easier life with regards to off the shelf programs (ok... subjective), use Windows. If however you really want to learn Linux a bit more - use that.

Solution 3:

I'd get a simple soho UPS, and maybe add some RAM, so I can start VMs up on that machine, that way you can run windows and linux on it at the same time

Solution 4:

You should be fine to use that as a server, server 2008 might be overkill, but it'd work. Ubuntu Server would be nice, but it's all command line. I suppose it depends on what your intent is.

Solution 5:

@Garrett:

likelihood that the server could cause an electrical fire?

Probably doubtful. A desktop machine doesn't draw much more than a light being left on when it's sitting idle. Here's a page that talks about power usage for a computer.

As for what type of server OS to install, that's really going to be based off what you'd like to use the machine for. If you're comfortable with windows and don't want to relearn anything, install you Server 2008 OS and set the machine up for an application server/file server. Or install Windows Home Server like has been suggested and use it for a interal backup machine. Last, install a version of Linux and use the machine for PHP/MySQL development or your own personal mail server (many options there).

Either way you go with it, have fun.