Running and Old Version of Linux...what to do?

[RedVR6]

Hi all,

I am relatively new here and hope this is not an overly repetitive question. Sorry if it is so.


I currently have a box (200Mhz, 4.xG HDD, 64MB RAM, etc) sitting on one side of my compter room running Red Hat 4.2 (kernel 2.0.30) and it primarily just sits there as a file server plugged into my hub where I telnet into it once in a while. I installed Red Hat on this machine a couple years ago and never really got around to doing anything with it or making it do anything. So...now I want to make this machine do something for me other than burn electricity and store files now that I have some time on my hands.

I am a little green behind the ears in Linux due to being over schooled in Windoze the past few years...My question is, should I blow this machine away and install an updated version of Linux or can I/should I go thru the trouble of upgrading the kernel and versions? I do have a copy of Mandrake 7.0 on CD that I toyed around with at one point....and am waiting on a copy of v8.0 to be sent to me duee to my 56K modem.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I forgot...I would like it to remain as a file server but, I would like it to act as my gateway/firewall to the internet...I am still on dial up service though...(Stinks living in the sticks sometimes.), a print server, etc. etc.....

TIA.

[armando86]

I would recommend that you backup all your files and then install a newer distro. It's possible that you can upgrade your current installation but it's probably more trouble than it's worth.

[RedVR6]

That is what I am thinking. Since I am getting the Mandrake CD's...I guess I could start from scratch on the machine. Hmmm.

[Malakin]

I agree, backup everything and move to something newer. If you're going to be using the gui you might want to pop more ram into it if it takes sdram, it's dirt cheap right now of course :)

[Danger Fan]

i would say it's your own person preference. do what you want to do. if you feel like going through the trouble of upgrading to learn as much as you can, then do it. but if you only want the trouble of installing, then install a new distro. it's up to you. either way, good luck.

[RedVR6]

I mulled it over the past few days and think I will go with a whole new Linux installation. I am not sure what is runnign on the machine right now and I think it would be a good way to learn building it up from scratch. Now I just need to these Mandrake CD's and will be all set...

Thanks all! :)