converting old computer to a home server

[Dead...Again]

Sometime in the next few months I plan to build a new computer. I am seriously considering getting Windows Home server and converting my current system to a home server. My current system has:
Antec 900 case
ASUS 680i mobo
E6600 CPU
4GB DDR2 800 RAM

I also have 2 750GB caviar black HDDs and a 2TB caviar green. I think I will put one of the blacks and the green in the home server, and the other black in the new system.

Now the question is: do I just keep the system in the current case and buy a new one for my new system (what I am leaning towards) or buy a smaller case for the home server and put my new system in the Antec 900. Thoughts?

Or is this just a dumb idea?

[Qicmee]

I'm not the technical expert here, so I'm only helping with the easy question:

"Or is this just a dumb idea?"

What are your goals?

A few possible needs:
Media server to entertainment center? This has special configuration requirements.
Remote access? Home Server enables this, but other options are available.
Just want to tinker with setting up a Home Server? You're on the right path.
File sharing with other house PCs? I just keep my main PC turned on.
Easy backups? Home Server handles this extremely well. However, external drives work great as a trivial solution.

[Dead...Again]

My main reasons are:
1. media server with all music, pictures and video that can be accessed on all computers on the network as well as my DVR and bluray player
2. easy automated backup of all computers
3. something to tinker with

[juneau]

I think you'd be better off with a NAS of some kind rather than a server.

[mapes]

I think you'd be better off with a NAS of some kind rather than a server.

I know you guy's are windows centric but, you could checkout freenas. It's a linux distro setup to be a Nas server. I think they have a live cd version.

[juneau]

FreeNAS is possibly the best NAS software out there if you ask me.

[mapes]

Whoops double posts hours later.....

[Dead...Again]

IF I were to try FreeNAS, is it easy to set up for media sharing? What about doing backups? I think with Windows Home server, you install an app on each computer that will allow you to setup automatic backups.

[Dead...Again]

Also, is it easy to set up? I have avoided Linux up to this point.

Actually, maybe this would be a good learning experience for me...

[Qicmee]

If you're interested, a live CD will let you try it without installing anything. You could always go to Windows later "if not delighted".

documentation:setup_and_user_guide [FreeNAS]
- The Linux world tends to be a little woolly. I think timid visitors smartly run away when they see their frist randomized FAQ.

[Dead...Again]

Is it easy to add new drives when additional storage is needed? WHS has a feature called Drive Extender that allows you to add new drives as needed and it gets added to a virtual storage volume. Unfortunately, it sounds like they are taking this feature out of the next version of WHS.