Hello! Beginner here, looking to setup, setting up a backup computer

[jason brian merrill]

Greetings!

I have never even downloaded or touched a linux distro.

I am looking to put 3 500 gb hard drives into an old 533 mhz hp computer. It is connected via network, and i plan to back up all of my files to it. Also, i wish to connect it to my hp printer and scanner (3 yrs old, model 1410) and also install office programs to use for schoolwork.

I need it to be ultra fast, which i heard linux does well.

My other pcs are windows xp pro, since linux does NOT do pro audio multitracking to my satisfaction.

windows is CRAP when it comes to networking, but i absolutely NEED linux to network with them EASILY.

is this all even possible for a noob like me? I have an A+ certification but that doesnt mean much, although im sure i could pick up on things

any help is appreciated, thanks.

[GNU-Fan]

Hello,

As regards needing it to be ultra fast, I am afraid you will find yourself disappointed when you try to run office applications on a 0.5Ghz machine.
You had better install it on your Windows boxes. When they are good enough for audio processing, they should handle office work easily. Same goes for the scanner. I wouldn't even detach the printer from them.

I assume these devices are already working reasonable well on your Windows system and -- as you sound like you want to keep them -- where's the use in going through the effort (and there will be some) of installing them on GNU/Linux?

Now to the networking part.
You might want to check out Debian Stable (although most other distro should be adequate here as well). It works especially well in the server domain and is very easy to work with. I recommend running a FTP service to transfer big archive files (zips) to the backup machine.

On the other hand, if you want to save small files you work with very frequently (like having a removable hard-disc) then Samba is the service of choice. It allows the files on the Linux machine to be accessed with the Explorer and any application just as if there resided on the local hard disc.

[kostasan]

For this pc, a suite like openoffice or ms office would be frustrating slow(if it manages to load!). So, a good option is abiword, which is very lightweight and fast compared to the above programs.