What to do with the old computer?

by 9dosus Mar 3, 2009 4:06AM PST

I'm getting a second computer, essentially the same as the one I have now, except the new one has twice the ram and hard drive space. Aside from a minor display glitch I'm having with the old one, it's run perfectly (just like new, actually, as it was just wiped).

What I want to know is what I can do with the old computer. I hear a lot of talk about master/slave and home networks and such, but I don't know what I'm doing.

Can anyone recommend something, or point me in the right direction?

Discussion is locked

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Do You Want Two Computers?

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Mar 3, 2009 8:01AM PST

If so, then it's entirely possible to plug both computers into a router, then let a family member use one in a different room. Unfortunately, you've not told us any specifics about your preferences..

Do you even have a family? Do you need two computers? Is the new computer going to be busy downloading files or converting videos? If so, a second computer might allow you to continue surfing the net, or doing business chores, while the other machine works..

How do you use the computer? Personal home use? Business use?

There are a lot of charities around that could use a functioning computer.. Is that an option?

Let us know what you want?

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Ok...

by 9dosus Mar 3, 2009 9:34AM PST

Thank you for the quick reply! Our kids already have their own computer, so giving them this one wasn't really an option for us. We use the comp mainly for playing World of Warcraft, downloading and listening to music, streaming music (a lot of music related stuff), and word processing. Since the old computer has only 1gb of ram, it's tough to play Wow and have a media player open and playing music, plus have firefox running if I need to look something up without the comp freezing up or crashing.

I think we can really use these two computers, I just can't figure out how to make them work for us.

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Your Choice...

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Mar 3, 2009 12:54PM PST

Lots of options.. Store it if you choose.. Use it as an extra internet surfing tool if you want.. Once you decide, we can help with the specifics..

Although I oversee a lot of computers at work and fix some as a side business, I currently only have one at the house... It's nice to have extras... But then again, my family only has one TV in the entire house..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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One computer!!

by Bob__B Mar 3, 2009 9:20PM PST

One TV!!

Do you understand the term CHILD ABUSE??

You best hope you don't get hauled before some liberal judge.

Your on your way to the slammer.....BIG TIME....LOL.

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LOL....My Kids Have Graduated From College Now But...

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Mar 4, 2009 12:54AM PST

...even when they lived at home, we still only had one TV.. We watched the tube a lot but we all watched it at the same time, in one room, one big happy family. It teaches one to be tolerant of other's likes and dislikes and if one of the family members didn't prefer the show we were watching, they did something else, like work on the computer, or read a book, or play outside.

Likewise for the computer. One computer.. We placed it in a common room where all had access and everyone could see the screen when they walked by..

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Build a Media Server . . .

by Coryphaeus Mar 4, 2009 12:14AM PST

I took an older Compaq Evo, added a video card with S-video, added a wireless NIC, and connected it to my Sony 55" SXRD. Surfing on a wide screen, playing games, and accessing the net to watch movies is nice. Sounds like all you need is the network connection. Your choice on the type of video connection used.

What to do with the old computer?

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