Common Preparatory Tasks

You need to perform several steps to prepare your old PC for its new role.

1. Remove unneeded programs. If your old PC will merely sit on a network and won't run applications, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, and double-click Add/Remove Programs ( Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs in XP). Uninstall all the programs you won't be using. After you're done, use Windows Explorer to check the Program Files directory for unnecessary data files.

2. Clean up the drive. Most hard drives contain large quantities of browser cache and temporary files. To sweep them out--and to optimize your drive--see " Reclaim Hard-Drive Space".

3. Install a network card. If your old computer doesn't have a network adapter, you'll need to install one (unless you plan to use your old system as a stand-alone PC). Network adapters are readily available and inexpensive, starting at about $15.

To install the card, turn off and unplug your PC, and then remove the cover. To avoid static damage, wear an antistatic wrist strap while working inside your PC. Find a free PCI slot, remove its cover, carefully insert the network card into the slot, and fasten it down with a screw. When you restart your PC, Windows should detect the card. Follow the vendor's directions to install the driver.

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