With Microsoft rolling back its support for Windows XP, users who have upgraded to a better PC would be wondering on ways to utilize the old one. Here are some ways you can keep the old machine up and running, as compiled by the Tech radar.
#1 Personal Cloud storage
Using your old PC for your personal storage would be a great choice and it will help you free a lot of hardware space on your new computer. The old PC can be used as a backup to store documents and even as a dedicated server too.
#2 Install Linux
A Linux based Os ‘Ubuntu’ is the perfect replacement for Windows XP. It is a modern OS which will run smoothly on your old PC. Download the Ubuntu LTS version 12.04, which will be supported till 2017. This version of OS is easy to install with tips for beginners too.
#3 Make it your Media Server
Your old PC can be a central hub to collect music, videos and photos. All the data can be accessed with the laptops, smart- TVs, and Smartphones by channelizing them through the network using internet.
#4 Home security hub
Your old pc can be converted as a dedicated CCTV system if you have a big hard drive and a wireless security system. All you have to do is install Zoneminder CCTV software and connect the security system using an Ubuntu server.
It is designed to run without a dedicated monitor, keyboard or a mouse. Which means you can access the security system on a web browser through another device to remotely watch the camera’s recordings.
#5 Upgrading to Windows 7 or 8
If you don’t want to switch to a new pc and stick with Windows, then upgrading would be the option for you. It has no demanding system requirements, 1GHz or faster processor, 1GB of RAM, 20GB of hard disk space and a DirectX 9 compatible graphics card will run the newer versions of Windows. These minimum hardware requirements cannot run the newer version as fast as the XP, but it is acceptable, provided you don’t run many programs at once. Before upgrading, a compatibility test on the PC is necessary using the Windows 7 upgrade advisor or the Windows 8.1 upgrade assistant.
#6 Install a cloud based OS
Installing a cloud based ‘Joli OS’ would be a perfect lightweight and user friendly alternative to Windows or Linux. The Os can be installed alongside with the Windows, but if you are ditching Windows you may have to download the ISO file and put it onto to a CD.
#7 Gaming server
If you are a passionate gamer, then setting up your own server from your old PC would be an ideal choice and would lift the load of your new PC. Gaming servers do not require big graphics, but a fast processor will help you plan and play the game strategically. If the PC is very old, you would find it to be slow and not capable of handling large players online though you have a fast internet connection. So, classic games like counter strike or the unreal tournament with maximum three or four players would be fine.
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