What could I do with a spare computer? [closed]

My friend gave me his spare computer and has been collecting dust in my room ever since. Though it's not better than the computer I am currently using, it is a decent computer as it is Pentium 4 computer. I want to tinker and/or see what I can do with this computer before I give it away for recycling, which is in 7 days.

Any suggestion of what I could do with this computer?

Solution 1:

Some options, under Windows or Linux:

• File Server for your LAN
• Media Server for devices like Xbox 360, PS3, etc (somewhat file server ish)
• Web / Database server if you do web development
• Local IMAP server - great if you use multiple devices to read your email on, and it can consolidate and backup your email accounts if you have multiples.
• Remote Access server via proxy or SSH - you can get to web pages from your work if you have restrictive internet.
• Run Game Servers, since they're usually command line and only CPU intensive, it doesn't need a screen or a graphics card.

Solution 2:

I got into computer by tinkering and messing around and I would always suggest that others do the same thing.

If you are a Windows guy, use it to learn Linux and have a general mess around. Then I would take it apart and just learn how to build a computer.