What Are Some Uses For A Spare Computer?

My parents just got a new computer, I already have a computer (basically the same as what they have just bought) .. but now I have their old computer and no known uses for it.

It's got bare basics .. 800 mhz, 256 RAM, 5gig HD - but it works, and it's stable.

I know some people use an extra PC as a firewall or as a server; and my question is this:

What are some useful ways to utilise this computer? Please provide a description with your answer in case it's some far-out option that I've never heard of before.

* Edit: .. and as far as using it as a server or firewall (or both, if that's possible), what are the benefits of this compared to using one of the existing computers?

I am in no way a computer friendly person i'm more likely to punch it if it doesn;t work ehehe but you could use it as a music storage device. If your like most of us on here i know you must have a few gig of music. other than that paper weight or a jump for your pushie

are you my long lost brother or something hahhahahahaha

if it has a decent video card in it you could use it as a media centre. you would obviously need to upgrade the hd if you want to store movies and such on it. you could include a tv capture card aswell and recprd all your fav tv shows on there and watch them whenever and how-ever you like ie: fast forward, rewind, pause etc.

use it as a firewall/file server. Upgrade the hard drive and stick a burner in it. Done.

Then you dont have to rely on the resources of your main system for backing up or burning.
Its also easier when it comes to rebuilding your operating system as you dont have to transfer a whole heap of data. XP Pro will work, Server 2003 would be better.

Turn it into a fish tank.

G.

I say you throw it off a roof and post the vid!

tie it to the back of ya car and toe it to birdwood