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Do you need a 2nd or 3rd computer in your house?
Want to help keep an old computer out of the landfill?
Here we go!
First you need a computer and monitor to start with.
Using Linux, a free replacement to windows, an older computer system can be brought back to life.
Linux is very High quality software, (no crashes).
Less than stellar computer systems will run VERY FAST with Linux.
Linux is safe from viruses, spyware and trojans, so your endless problems with Windows security issues are over.
And everything is 100% free and legal.
Being Green:
Almost everyone I know has an old computer and tube type monitor stashed away somewhere where windows has quit working.
Help keep it out of the landfill, ask your friends or family to donate it to you.
Or for a few bucks, you can buy an older computer from Ebay. You dont need any windows because you will
be installing Linux instead.
Here is a link for example, again, no windows needed, so dont pay extra for it, even if buying a PC used.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Compaq-D530-P4-2-66Ghz-512Mb-RAM-40Gb-HD-Computer_W0QQitemZ110354494347QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop_PCs?hash=item110354494347&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:15|39:1|240:1318
Linux runs very well on slower computers, so dont be afraid if its not the latest greatest.
You will be pleasantly surprised when you are done building it!
You want a basic computer, at least 500mhz speed, 128 megs of ram, with a working Hard drive, at least 10 gigs size, a CDROM drive and a network Card. What... you say, only 500mhz needed?
More is better of course, but no need to overdo it. Trust me on this!
Have no friends with a dead windows PC stashed away? Then, next option buy a used one.
I see em all the time on Ebay, starting at a penny, and with free shipping. There is a link above to review, but you can just search computer and find something close by and with free shipping.
From a working Internet computer,
Download Ubuntu Linux from here: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Burn this file to a CD as an iso.
This is free software, you will not be asked for any sign-ups, money or anything else.
If you look on the site, there is a page where someone will send you a disk if you want to wait for it.
Hook up the new-old computer / monitor, and connect your network card to your home network, or plug in your wifi card or usb if you have one.
If you dont have a home network or DSL, no problem, you can still install Ubuntu and use all the basic software that is included free on the installation disk that you downloaded.
Software like Open Office, a compatible clone of the commercial product (word excel etc), presentation mangers like power point clone, databases, browsers, games, etc.
Put the downloaded Ubuntu Disk in the CD rom drive and power up the computer.
When it boots up, select the Install Icon on the desktop.
Answer the various questions, select a user name and password, your time zone, etc..and the system will be installed.
Once complete, take the disk out, and reboot, log in using your user name and password, and then click on -->System ->Administration -->Users and Groups, and set up your other family members with a login and a password.
The basic system comes with hundreds of software packages free, Like spreadsheets, word processors, databases, presentation software, browsers, even a PDF file creator, all free.
There are over 40,000 software programs available to use, educational software too, completely free, easy to download and install. These programs are created by tens of thousands of talented volunteers, who work every day to help create a safe and secure alternate computer environment to the commercial versions of what is for sale out there today.
These guys in particular are doing great work to help people.
They take donated PCs and load em up with Linux, and present them back to needy families and needy children all for free. It is called the Helios Project. http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/
With a little bit of effort, you can create your own system, using the same free tools and software as Ken Starks and the Helios project is doing.
Enjoy, you have just helped save 1 PC from the landfill, and helped the world a little bit along the way.
Keep watching, I will adding to this guide.
regards Jim Sanders
Want to help keep an old computer out of the landfill?
Here we go!
First you need a computer and monitor to start with.
Using Linux, a free replacement to windows, an older computer system can be brought back to life.
Linux is very High quality software, (no crashes).
Less than stellar computer systems will run VERY FAST with Linux.
Linux is safe from viruses, spyware and trojans, so your endless problems with Windows security issues are over.
And everything is 100% free and legal.
Being Green:
Almost everyone I know has an old computer and tube type monitor stashed away somewhere where windows has quit working.
Help keep it out of the landfill, ask your friends or family to donate it to you.
Or for a few bucks, you can buy an older computer from Ebay. You dont need any windows because you will
be installing Linux instead.
Here is a link for example, again, no windows needed, so dont pay extra for it, even if buying a PC used.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-Compaq-D530-P4-2-66Ghz-512Mb-RAM-40Gb-HD-Computer_W0QQitemZ110354494347QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop_PCs?hash=item110354494347&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:15|39:1|240:1318
Linux runs very well on slower computers, so dont be afraid if its not the latest greatest.
You will be pleasantly surprised when you are done building it!
You want a basic computer, at least 500mhz speed, 128 megs of ram, with a working Hard drive, at least 10 gigs size, a CDROM drive and a network Card. What... you say, only 500mhz needed?
More is better of course, but no need to overdo it. Trust me on this!
Have no friends with a dead windows PC stashed away? Then, next option buy a used one.
I see em all the time on Ebay, starting at a penny, and with free shipping. There is a link above to review, but you can just search computer and find something close by and with free shipping.
From a working Internet computer,
Download Ubuntu Linux from here: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Burn this file to a CD as an iso.
This is free software, you will not be asked for any sign-ups, money or anything else.
If you look on the site, there is a page where someone will send you a disk if you want to wait for it.
Hook up the new-old computer / monitor, and connect your network card to your home network, or plug in your wifi card or usb if you have one.
If you dont have a home network or DSL, no problem, you can still install Ubuntu and use all the basic software that is included free on the installation disk that you downloaded.
Software like Open Office, a compatible clone of the commercial product (word excel etc), presentation mangers like power point clone, databases, browsers, games, etc.
Put the downloaded Ubuntu Disk in the CD rom drive and power up the computer.
When it boots up, select the Install Icon on the desktop.
Answer the various questions, select a user name and password, your time zone, etc..and the system will be installed.
Once complete, take the disk out, and reboot, log in using your user name and password, and then click on -->System ->Administration -->Users and Groups, and set up your other family members with a login and a password.
The basic system comes with hundreds of software packages free, Like spreadsheets, word processors, databases, presentation software, browsers, even a PDF file creator, all free.
There are over 40,000 software programs available to use, educational software too, completely free, easy to download and install. These programs are created by tens of thousands of talented volunteers, who work every day to help create a safe and secure alternate computer environment to the commercial versions of what is for sale out there today.
These guys in particular are doing great work to help people.
They take donated PCs and load em up with Linux, and present them back to needy families and needy children all for free. It is called the Helios Project. http://linuxlock.blogspot.com/
With a little bit of effort, you can create your own system, using the same free tools and software as Ken Starks and the Helios project is doing.
Enjoy, you have just helped save 1 PC from the landfill, and helped the world a little bit along the way.
Keep watching, I will adding to this guide.
regards Jim Sanders
Guide created: 02/21/09 (updated 03/18/09)
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