Get new comp for server?
 

Let's say I wanted to set up a LAN server for when my friends are over and what not. Would I be able to set up a server on my comp and still play, or would I have to get a dedicated server?
(And, If I did need a dedicated server, would I be able to use our old comp? It's like 500 mhz, 256 megs/ram)

A rough estimate for a dedicated setver, 500Mhz should be ok. The ram is probably ok too for a small lan server >10 people and 4-6 zones. The more zones or clients the more Ram you will probably need.

Run either linux or NT/2000/XP though. Mysql definatly likes them better, and I think the emu server does too.

Hmm, but don't even try XP with that hardware, especially with only 256MB Ram. I'd go with either Linux or NT.

Hrm, ok, that old dinosaur has xp, but It's worth trying. Thanks!

Ok, here we go...
It's 384 mg/ram no 256 (guess my parents threw another 128 in there)
Would that make any difference?

it should help just a little bit more .... but nothing much .

Well I may be wrong but in my experience XP and 2K need a fair amount of RAM for themselves just to operate. Add drive cache to that and you can take away about 100 to 150MB of RAM just for the OS you are running. NT is much more moderate regarding this. As is Linux - but only if you keep it in console mode (ie no XF86, no display manager) and don't run a heap of other servers like http, ftp, proxy and so on.

Just my 0.02pp though. ;)

Honestly, you might as well make a new computer ...
for $250ish you can make a really nice computer .. i think mine actually costed me $242
AMD Athlon XP 2200+
512 Mb PC2100 DDR Ram
GeForce 4 MX 440
40 Gb 7200 RPM HDD
integrated sound/lan/etc
52x CDROM/Floppy

Not anything special.. but it gets the job done.

If you'd like to do this just PM me and I'd be glad to help you out .. (I make custom computers for a living)