Hi I trying to put together a small server in my home. I just purchased a Compaq storage F1 4100 with 7 9.1GB scsi 10,000 rpm HD. Now since I'm adding this to my current pc I need to know which verson of Linux to use as a server. I currently use Windows XP so I felt I would like to give Linux softwar a try since I have heard good things about it.

My current config of my pc is

Asus a7n8x diluxe MB
Amd Athlon XP 2400/266
512 MB PC2700 crucial ram
HD 1 WdJB special edition 100GB 7200 rpm
HD 2 WDJB special edition 120GB 7200 rpm
Nvidia Ti 4600 with dvi out
Soundblaster live audigy 2

I know this must be over kill but I figure I put as much as possible. Would I need a regular Linux desktop OS and then a server verson?? This is new to me and confusion.

Thanks for the help

Any version of Linux will do. I suggest Mandrake, Red Hat, or SuSE for beginners.

-K

Go with REDHAT for starting off.

Ok. Please Clairfy exaclty what your saying

You first stated you are putting it on your current machine.

Are you dual booting? (Having 2 operating systems on one computer)

Second you also stated that you wanted a server. Now what are you going to use the server for?

Now With those questions asked I can now answer what I think is your orignal question

You want redhat linux 9.0 You can either buy it or download it. the homepage is http://www.redhat.com

Thanks yes my current machine will act as a regular pc and server, I wanted my own so I can take advantage of the net now and hopefully start a small business. Also I want to have a fourm such as this site. I go to plenty of sites that use the v. bulletin software. One question though how much space shoud you have for something like this???

I am dual booting, rather than go with ms again I decide to give Linux a try since I have heard good things about it.

I purchased the Compaq Proliant storage cheap on e-bay used of course and like I said it has 7 9.1 GB 10,000 rpm scsi mdel. This will be runing off the Linux OS, I was told my pc can act like a server also so rather than buy a seperate one I decide to do it this way.

Thanks again for the help.