Suitable UNIX Os for running on Old style drivers as a server for a Home Network

kiwipower

Please Excuse my ignorance as I am only coming to terms with Ubuntu as an end user. I know nothing about networks.

A friend of mine had some old drives/computer box set up as a server for his home network. He was using a cut down version of Windows XP as the OS. Yesterday his fuse box tripped and the server was damaged. He has been unable to restore Windows onto the box.

He is wondering of any good UNIX OS systems that would be able to go on the old box and network with the printer, 3G mobile broadband, Windows 7 Laptop and an older computer running as storage/network/back-up.

Any ideas?
Thanks
KP

PrzemoF

I'm not sure what you're looking for? An OS for a home server?
Ubuntu should be perfectly fine for it.

If the PC is too old to run GUI there is a sever ubuntu version that has no GUI.

If you need something like a NAS server you might try FreeNAS [1] (I never tested it, but it looks OK)

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeNAS

kiwipower

Thanks PrzemoF,
The no GUI sounds about what he is looking for.
As its an internet Gateway he is trying to run.
Or DHPC server what ever that is.
Thanks again.

Johnboy1951

It really depends on the hardware .... some more modern versions will not suit the older hardware.

Distrowatch.com is a good place to find what is available .... this is a search page to fill in your requirements .....

http://distrowatch.com/search.php

kiwipower

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

It really depends on the hardware .... some more modern versions will not suit the older hardware.

Distrowatch.com is a good place to find what is available .... this is a search page to fill in your requirements .....

http://distrowatch.com/search.php

Thanks Johnboy I will send the link onto himself.

Khannie

Ubuntu server sounds like what you'd want alright. Might be worth looking at lubuntu too, just for a lightweight GUI.

Tom Dunne

The only thing is, Ubuntu server comes initially configured without a GUI. It may not be suitable for an inexperienced user.

I'm using Ubuntu 11.04 as my home media center, running xbmc, and it does exactly what your friend needs - 3G, networking, printers, etc.

kiwipower

Tom Dunne wrote: »

The only thing is, Ubuntu server comes initially configured without a GUI. It may not be suitable for an inexperienced user.

I'm using Ubuntu 11.04 as my home media center, running xbmc, and it does exactly what your friend needs - 3G, networking, printers, etc.

Thankfully my friend is more IT savy than me.
It was him that installed Ubuntu on my Parkard Bell when he got sick of me swearing at Vista!

He has Eventually after about 24hours managed to get XP back online. But he is interested to start playing with Linux, so may put it on yet.

We did have a concern for awhile that the hardware had been fried by the power surge but all good.

Capt'n Midnight

if you are storing files on it then be very aware that old hard drives do die

also take into account the cost of electricity if leaving on 24/7,

PrzemoF

OSI wrote: »

I'm curious as to why you think Linux will be a viable option if the existing OS cannot be re-installed on hardware it was already running on. This sounds to me like there is a hardware issue, in which case Linux will run in to the same issues as the Windows install. Unless I'm missing something.

I'm not sure whats the difference between "restoring" the system and "reinstallation", but I think windows has a restore function that doesn't preform full reinstall? The hardware might be OK, but the system is fubar.