Hi I would like to make a sever out of a old pc using linux so what do I need to do I want it to be able to back up stuff from me and my friends computers

1) Pick the computer.

2) Choose a distribution.

3) Install your system.

4) Set up SAMBA.

#1 - Sounds like you already have the PC picked out.

#2 - I'd suggest a more server-friendly and "low frills" distribution like Arch or Slackware. Pretty much anything would work for what you are wanting to do, though, so go crazy if you want.

#3 - This should be pretty straight-forward and will vary somewhat depending on the distribution. Any one that you choose will have a detailed installation guide.

#4 - SAMBA is a piece or software which allows unix machines to participate in Windows file and printer sharing. You have other options for your server, (NFS, FTP, RSYNC) but SAMBA will likely be the easiest for you and your friends to use day-to-day.

Ok so just install linux on the pc I picked out and then install SAMBA but what about the linux sever insted of just linux desktop witch one should I use for a OS

SAMBA will come installed as a core package with just about any distribution. All you'll have to do is configure it.

If one of the goals you have is to learn about Linux, then I'd suggest Slackware.

As I said, though, any distribution will be able to do what you want.

Linux can be a server, a desktop, or both at the same time, just like Windows. Unlike Windows, a Linux distribution generally comes out of the box with all of the software that you need for a full-scale, multi-service, enterprise internet server.

Once you have your file service set up the way that you want, you will doubtlessly want to experiment with other fun stuff, like using your Linux box to replace your router and name server (DNS).

If, when you say server, you mean file server, Samba is the way to go.

This is the best guide I've found to configuring Samba. It starts with simple and proceeds to complex. It's what enabled me to finally get my file server serving files:

http://samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-Guide/

One thing that new Linux users frequently overlook: In addition to listing a directory in the Samba configuration file (/etc/samba/smb.conf), you must also configure that directory's permissions to allow the directory to be shared. In a file manager, find the properties dialog and select "Sharing," then mark it to be shared (how to find the "Sharing" item depends on which file manager you use).

If you do one without the other, then it won't work.

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It's important to note that you don't need a "file manager" at all to deal with permissions. All of that can be dealt with quite readily and completely with the commands 'ls', 'chown', and 'chmod'.

(As with any console command, all of the information you need to completely master them can be accessed with the command 'man'. eg, 'man chmod'.)

This is especially true with the OP's server, which I can only hope will not have its own full-time monitor and keyboard ... or video card, for that matter, I'd expect the most common means of access to be ssh. (I guess it could always be VNC, XDMCP, or the like ...)

Ok this is my second day with linux in my life so yall are guna have to put it in baby terms until I know more of the what is every thing so when I install linux on the pc I chose then I install SAMBA when I do that will it ask me to make it where when we log in from another computer it will ask for a user name and pass word right?

That's mostly correct, yes.

I've got no problem walking through it with you, step by step.

SAMBA is a pretty standard piece of software and will already be installed as part of your distribution. You will need to modify the configuration files for SAMBA on your Linux machine, but that's a few steps ahead.

What distribution will you use? (Which "flavor" of Linux have you decided to install?) Ubuntu? Debian? Arch? Slackware? Another?

Let us know and we'll move forward to installation ...

Ubuntu 10.04

So, you have already installed Ubuntu?

Is this machine going to run as a "headless" server?

what do you mean by head less if I know what your saying is there going to be a screen connected to this sever right?

Wikipedia: Headless system, a server with no monitor, keyboard, or mouse attached.

Where this thread seems to be going is in the direction of a "server" versus a "desktop." Traditionally, most servers run without a monitor, mouse, or keyboard and administration is performed remotely via SSH. The reasoning behind this is that you are not supporting resources (i.e. a GUI) that is not necessary and won't be used much and this gives you both a performance and security improvement. In small office or home environment, just about any Linux distribution will work fine in a server application and there is very little difference in a "server" and a "Desktop".

The big question I would ask, which hasn't been answered yet, is what do you want to do with this server? Samba was mentioned, which will allow you to communicate with Windows based networks. Other functions include web server, mail server, DHCP, DNS, software repository, media server, and so forth. One of the most important things for you to do will be to become familiar with the terminal prompt, or command line. Most server applications are configured through text files that are located in your /etc/ directory. This is not Windows and for most of these there are not GUI front ends. There are web / PHP based front ends for some things, but my recommendation is to use the command prompt.

If you are going to use Ubuntu, you will also need to become familiar with the package management system. How you go about this will partially depend on whether you installed the "Server" edition which does not have a GUI by default or the "Desktop" edition which does.

So, to re-iterate: what did you install, what operational state is it in, and what do you want to achieve?

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