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    What's the best OS for a home server

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by hehe299792458, May 30, 2007.

  1. hehe299792458

    hehe299792458 Notebook Deity

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    I'm buying a new 500GB HD for a old P3 computer so I could use it as a de facto NAS and ftp server. However, the thing only has 64 mb of RAM I need to find a suitable OS for it. Win 2K seems like an obvious choice, but I'm not even sure if it could run that. Linux is another option, but I have no idea how to network it with other XP and Vista PCs. Any suggestions? Thanks,


    EDIT: opps, could a mod correct my spelling in the title? Thanks
     
    hehe299792458, May 30, 2007
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  2. mattireland

    mattireland It used to be the iLand..

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    Right, for an FTP server, I'd immediately discount Mac.

    If you hadn't said you were getting a 500GB HD for a Pentium 3 I'd have definietly said Linux only 500GB does seem a bit 'good' for Linux.

    Still ME was never good with FTP and neither was NT and anything else isn't doing the 500GB justice so I'd definitely say GO FOR LINUX.
     
    mattireland, May 30, 2007
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  3. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you are familiar with Linux, then that is the best choice for a low resource server. However, if you want to run Windows then upgrade the ram to 512MB (or at least 256MB), you can still easily find SDRAM.
    One more thing, before buying the HDD make sure your PC can handle such a large drive. Most probably it won't (at least not without a BIOS update).
     
    PhoenixFx, May 30, 2007
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  4. slumbermann

    slumbermann Notebook Evangelist

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    i would definitely suggest linux too actually... because of your low PC spec and to make NAS n ftp server would be just nice for the linux... :)
     
    slumbermann, May 30, 2007
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  5. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    win 2k would run on 64MB of ram, just wouldnt be smooth as butter. To the ME remark, ME was the worst OS to every hit the shelves (Not just from M$). Win 2k or XP pro will work, especially if you aren't familiar with linux.
     
    Thaenatos, May 30, 2007
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  6. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    XP Pro will be a little heavy for that machine. Look here for an instant NAS setup that uses Linux, if you have a floppy drive for the machine. You could also consider a FreeBSD NAS, or just install Ubuntu server and look for a Samba sharing guide.
     
    Pitabred, May 30, 2007
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  7. silver_horse

    silver_horse Notebook Enthusiast

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    PhoenixFX is right about the BIOS. I remember trying a 40GB HDD on a motherboard supporting Dual Pentium Pro 200mhz with 512K Cache. It didn't like it all. So I used my PCI RAID card and it was ok. I also hooked it up with a second 40GB HDD. Pretty cool stuff!! Had 256MB of ram as it could only register the max of 256MB from 4 slabs of 128MB Ram (512MB). That was the only disappointment.

    So maybe give try this...
    Get a PCI RAID Card and get two HDDs of the same model and size. Mirror it so that you always have a backup should only one HDD fails someday for whatever reason. And upgrade the memory to 512MB.

    I recommend you use the server blend of Linux as the O/S.
     
    silver_horse, May 30, 2007
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