Windows 95/98 Server or equivilent?

Im looking to make an old computer into a server using 'xampp', I know all that shiznaz I just wondered if there is a "Windows 95 Server Edition" or "Windows 98 Server Edition" or equivelent as it is a very old computer and doesn't need to be brilliant anyway, but it won't run Windows Server 2003.

Anyone got any idea?

Somebody needs to do a tutorial about this.

I have this old pc, that will be good as a server.

Well if you download the 'xampp' pack then its pretty much everything you need to use it as a web space server.

xampp for those interested:
(choose OS then download)
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

kinda server you trying to build? application server, webserver, sql server?

if your after a webserver you can use windows NT and use IIS that comes with it, or run windows 95 and apache 1.3. both should run fine on old machines.

if its an application or sql server you may (and I say may because I aint set one up in a LONG time) need a better pc than you already have to run the software you need for these.

Its a web server but its gonna be wireless via a PCI card, I don't think that works with windows 95 does it?

also...

if its not wireless can I use an ethernet cable, connected to my computer and then use the wireless to connect to the internet? how would this work?

you could use the wired network to your pc, but the your right, windows 95 will not like the wireless if you try and set it up on that machine. so yeah, wire the server machine to your pc and connect through it

I would use linux for that. It runs good even on old hardware. win95/98 is out of support from Microsoft, which means there will be no security updates for them.

As Peanutt said, use Linux. The reason being, is using an older version of Windows as a server is just asking to be compromised, it's very insecure even as a desktop, make that serve sites and you're asking for trouble. Additionally Linux can really breathe life into a really old system. Download CentOS as it's easy for newbies to configure. If I were to install it, I'd choose the "minimal install", however as you're new to Linux you'll need a GUI. Choose the custom install and get rid of any shit such as webserver software, games, development tools etc.

After the installation, you can easily install Xamp with a couple of commands in the terminal, it'll be documented on the Xamp homepage. However, bear in mind you're likely to get better performance compiling Apache, PHP, MySQL etc manually. If you need any help just PM me as I'm pretty much a Linux server expert and I'll configure it all for you. To use a domain (presuming you're using an A entry and your registrars nameservers) you'll need to have a virtualhost entry in httpd.conf unsure if Xamp allows you to do this from it's web based GUI.

Keep in mind Xamp isn't shipped with an MTA, so if you want an e-mail address you'll need to configure Sendmail & Dovecot, or the like.

Before setting up a server make sure you have a static IP address and your ISP hasn't blocked off ports such as 80.

Wow Gaz, u seem to know your shit lol
I got like 40 copies of Ubuntu, will one of them do the job?

and as you mentioned, im new to linux, I've used it a couple times but it confuses the fuck outta me lol

Server installatons, configurations and administration is my specialty



What version of Ubuntu? The newer the better as I'm not sure on the lifespan of Ubuntu, it's Debian based so it should be supported for quite a while, however on older distributions of ubuntu the repository can be a little out of date.

Honestly, Ubuntu isn't for newbies as it's not an RPM based flavour, hence you'll need to get a little dirty with the shell. Yes Ubuntu will do, but remember the root login is disabled by default so you'll have to sudo in to have the install privaledges before you install XAMP, you can do this by opening up a terminal window and typing "sudo passwd root" this will unlock the root account and call up the "passwd" prompt which allows you to set a root password, set this to whatever you like. Now simply type "sudo root" and you'll be put in the root account (only works in the terminal, still disabled for the GUI).

However, don't be afraid to try Ubuntu, I've setup a couple of Ubuntu servers before and needed to know a couple of things, it's all very well documented on the Ubuntu site. If you do need any assistance configuring anything, install "OpenSSH", send me your IP and your root pass and I can do it for you.

Good luck

nt 4.0 or use win 2000 it runs on anything

Linux still runs miles better Image file not present in the recovered backup

Im gonna use linux but the bloody thing freezes when I go to install Ubuntu, can u recommend any other version gaz, thats easy for a server noob like me? lol

Get CentOS man!

Only problem is it's generally a 2 - 3 CD install, which can take some time to download.

However, CentOS is designed for servers and is easy for newbies to manage.

I was going to suggest using MS Virtual PC, then trying to run Windows 2000 or 03 server, but you say its an old system, so I presume you havn't upgraded the ram?

Its like seriously shite lol
Im doing gaz' idea, I got CentOS on 4 cds now so when I get home tomorrow im gonna set it up. hopefully it goes OK. lol :-)

Cool dude. I just set up linux mandriva on vpc, fucking takes ages to install.