Hey guys,

Not really sure where is best to post this so hope its under the right topic. :P

I'm a first year Electronic Engineering student, so I don't know much yet, but I enjoy experimenting. I found one of my dad's old laptops, Acer TravelMate 512DX, took it apart, put the hardware back, and now looking for a nice place to mount it. heh.

I thought of using the computer as a router, but I already have a Linksys WRT54GL Router running DD-WRT providing my family with Internet. If I do decide to use it instead, I'm throwing away a wireless connection, and a 4 port switch. So I thought maybe one could combine the two.

Also maybe use it as a download manager and proxy http casher. Maybe collect data about the network usage. Stuff like that. (see who uses up all the internet :P)

The second idea was to set it up as a controller to open relays, adjust servos and experiment with that, (Most prob implement it into my Old VW Passat for some added features, or do some basic operations like lights around the house) but I have no idea how to set up hardware to communicate to a computer and open relays or send inputs to a OS. (Thou I'm not to lazy to learn).

So out of curiosity I was wondering what you would do with such an old PC if you had the time to play around...

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Here is some extra info about the hardware and myself that is optional to read...

About the Laptop:
* No Battery anymore
* It has infra red, 56k modem, slow CD-Rom, and 20GB HDD
* Puppy 4.2.1 seems to run on it in live CD (thou booting takes forever)
* Check out the link below for more details

Hardware Specs:
Laptop - Acer TravelMate 512DX (91.45C01.80F) PC Notebook Details and Product Specifications - Epinions.com
Linksys Router - Linksys by Cisco - WRT54GL Support
DD-WRT - www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router


Computers on our network:
* Mothers Windows XP used only for Word, Excel, Gmail and Gtalk.
* Brothers Windows 7 used for Ultimate Online Gaming!
* My PC with Ubuntu 10.04 for a private PHP server, FTP server, browsing the web, whatever.
* My HTC Touch Pro 2 to stay connected cheaper (Via wireless)
* Neighbors PC to check mail (Via Wireless)
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Anyway, all replies/ideas are welcome.
Sorry for the long post. Thought ill give as much detail as possible. Maybe we can find a way to do something really cool. :P

Xethron

Moderator's Comments:

This is hardly a technical question and surely no question only an "Advanced & Expert User" is able to answer. I'm transferring the thread to The Lounge therefore.