What to do with old computer

[z3r0aCc3Ss]

As many of you know that I have bought a new computer, my old computer is just lying in a corner.
I can't figure out what to do with it. It has pretty much f**ked up configuration.
RAM: 2 GB
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500
Motherboard: I don't even remember
SMPS: 450 Watts
Optical drives: 2 (1 LG and 1 Sony) DVD writers (none of them are working)
HDD: Hitachi 160 GB (in excellent working condition, had bought in 2007), and WD 1 TB (already failed, but still working, had bought in 2010)

I do not want to upgrade anything into this, except HDD of 1 TB, if and only if, it's gonna give me a nice output, like a backup machine, or a recorder, etc.

So practically, it's like taking care of 120 years old handicapped person.

Please, post your ideas.

[pseudo_opcode]

Its hard to say what would personally suit you, the real answer would be "it depends", on what you do, what is your personality, or even what would give you the "kicks"

Having said that, here are a few options,
- Media File server - This is my favourite, i generally salvage my old hardware to run a media server, coz i am a media/entertainment whore, movies, photos, music.. Accessible throughout my home.

- Backup File server - Redundancy is a good thing, use it as a backup machine for files/memories you cant afford to lose. And by memories, i just dont mean your photos.. it may as well be that first shellcode of yours.. or all kinds of interesting stuff.. (no i dont mean porn)

- VM machines - if you're a student, or a hobbyist, run VM machines for various purposes, security testing, load/stress testing for your applications, application profiling, network architecture and what not.. The list is endless, you can be creative.. do what interests you.

- Smart home server/DVR - If you use it with arduino, you can do some pretty interesting things. again, be creative.. do research.. take a hobby project. It shall keep you busy for a while.

- Gaming system? - I know it might not be the ultimate gaming system, but sometimes i like playing games, which i used to play in the 90s and early 2000s, i still love some of them and think they were the best games ever! (for e.g. commandos series) But thats really your choice.

If nothing suits your fancy, i would say donate it to someone who needs it more than you. the satisfaction you get will be amazing.

Just an overview...Once you find a direction.. we can get into the specifics..

[bad_brain]

from the system specs it should be good enough for any form of server application, even for multiple purposes at once like media streaming AND web server.
if you don't want to upgrade the RAM a bit you should stay away from full blown desktop environments though because they use too many resources.

oh, and hey pseudo...

[z3r0aCc3Ss]

@pseudo,
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm gonna use it as a backup server. For my precious photos, and videos, etc.
Also, I have installed a camera above my door. I'm gonna use it to monitor outside activities,