This issue, Jonathan Parkyn explains how to convert your spare PC into a network storage device
Why a NAS is useful
A NAS (network attached storage) device is an external hard drive that connects all the devices on your home Wi-Fi network. You can back up photos and other files to a NAS just as you would to a normal external drive, but you can then access the files from your phone or tablet, even when your PC is switched off.
You can also use a NAS to stream music, photos and videos to your PC, mobile devices and even to a smart TV. Most NAS systems also let you access your files securely over the internet when you’re not at home - like having your own personal cloud.
Pre-built NAS devices cost up to £200, but you can convert a PC to a NAS for free.
What you need
An old computer already has almost everything you need to make a NAS: processor, memory, large hard drive and a network connection. The only other thing you need is free software.
It’s no longer safe to use Windows XP, particularly when you’re connecting it to a network. Instead, use a dedicated NAS operating system such as Amahi (www. amahi.org), a Linux-based NAS operating system that’s designed for home users. Its free version has everything you need and is easy to use, and there’s plenty of advice on Amahi’s wiki site (www.snipca.com/16048). Amahi also has free apps for linking your phone or tablet to your NAS (Android - www.snipca.com/16046, iOS - www.snipca.com/16047).
To run Amahi on your old PC, it will need to have at least a 1.0GHz Pentium 4 or AMD CPU, 512MB RAM, 4GB free hard-drive space, a CD/DVD drive and a wired (Ethernet) network connection. You’ll need a monitor, keyboard and mouse to set it up, but you won’t need them after installation is complete. Note that installing Amahi will wipe XP, so make sure you’ve backed up any personal files first.
How to install Amahi
Open a web browser on a Windows 7 or 8/8.1 PC, go to www.amahi.org and click Get Started Now, then create a username and password. Click the link in the email you’ll be sent to verify your profile. In the web page that opens, click ‘Configure your HDA’.
Now click Start, type cmd and press Enter to open the Command Prompt window. Type ipconfig and press Enter. Type the IP address listed under Default.
Gateway into Your Existing Network
Gateway on the Amahi web page. Leave the second IP address as it is. Click Next, then Next again, then ‘Create your HDA profile’. Make a note of the install code.
Next, start up your XP computer (making sure it’s disconnected from the internet). Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then System Information. Under System Type, if it says ‘x64-based PC’, go to your Windows 7 or 8/8.1 PC, then to the Express CD page on the Amahi wiki site (www.snipca.com/15969) and click ‘Amahi 7.1 Express CD Direct (http) 64bit download’ listed under ‘Download via HTTP’.
Still on your Windows 7 or 8/8.1 PC, insert a blank DVD, right-click the ISO file you downloaded and choose ‘Burn disc image’. Go to the wiki’s installation instructions (www.snipca.com/15998) and watch the video. If your System Type is listed as ‘x86-based PC’ in the step above, a more complex installation procedure is required (www.snipca.com/15999).
After installing Amahi you can configure it to suit your needs: automatic backup, photo and video sharing, remote access and more. Find out how to do all these on the Amahi wiki site.