The server that forms the cornerstone of my small home LAN recently gave up the ghost, struck down by a debilitating mixture of pure old age and the sort of virus normally picked up from frequent visits to the rougher precincts of the Internet red light district (though, obviously, not on this occasion!).

Two days of unsuccessful attempts to raid working components from various computer wrecks I had hanging around in order to build a new server left me feeling drained and frustrated, a bit like Frankenstein had his monster steadfastly failed to get off the operating table.

I needed another, already operational computer to take on the server mantel and I needed it fast - fortunately my daughter's home PC fitted the bill. She was a bit upset, but I pointed out that Daddy's work files needed the processing resources and data storage capacity much more than her collection of DollzMania gifs and jpegs.

I softened the blow by offering one week's exclusive usage of the family PSP, knowing full well that the only game we own (Fifa 2006) wouldn't keep her quiet beyond the next twenty four hours, so I was sure to get it back in time for my train journey to London.

It worked a treat. The 2.4GHz Celeron CPU, 256MB RAM and 32bit bus isn't the best choice for any type of server, even one destined for simple file and print duties, but beggars can't be choosers.

On the plus side it included a largish 120GB hard disk, which I quickly formatted with a fresh copy of Windows Server 2000  - taking care to back up my daughter's personal documents to another PC on the network first!

Now everything's back to normal, I need to think carefully about my disaster recovery plan for the future. And meditate on how to lock and soundproof the study door so I can't hear her constantly asking when I'm going to build her new PC ...

14 Aug 2006