Thanks to Windows 7, a lot of people have purchased new computers or are planning to. And that leaves them with one of life’s more pleasant problems: what to do with the old machine.
With prices for used computers so low, reselling an older PC is often more trouble than it’s worth, and you can actually get more value out of your old machine by keeping it and using it for another purpose. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Create a Windows Home Server
If your old computer is a desktop with a decent amount of storage or the capability to hold more storage (hard drives) than it currently has, it’s a good candidate for duty as a Windows Home Server (http://bit.ly/q85Fb).
Buy an OEM copy of Windows Home Server on a site like Newegg for 99 dollars, install it on your old machine, hook the computer up to your in-home network, and you’ll never again have to be embarrassed when someone asks you whether you back up your data. The answer will be “yes, every night.”
Install the free client software for Windows Home Server on each computer in your home that is connected to your network — either wirelessly or with wires — and Windows Home Sever will automatically perform backups every night when you’re asleep.
Even better, the Windows Home Server box will also act as a multimedia repository, allowing you to stream and share music, video, and digital photographs. It will also provide you with remote access through a standard web browser to any connected PC in your home.
So, if you forget a file while traveling, you’ll be able to log on to your home machine and download it. You can’t beat that for convenience. And don’t worry if your old computer is slow — speed is not an issue…