What to use an old iMac for

[Derwins Revenge]

I've been given an old (ish) iMac by work that we were going to eBay but can't be arsed with the aggro. So I'm now the proud new owner of an iMac (the version with the guts built into the screen). I think I'm going to get a bking from the other half when I get home, laden with another technology based white elephant for the house. Like the 15m Ethernet cable I got for 2.99 last week and have absolutely no friggin' use for.

So any suggestions for use? We're pretty screened up at home, with main PC in dining room and an older one in the process of being set-up for streaming movies in the lounge. Kids are sorted with laptops/tvs. Am I missing a killer app or shall I just pass it on to a family member who may make use of it? (Won't eBay it, wouldn't seem right).

Maybe I could stick it in a cupboard and use it as storage, media server for everyone in the house? Is it possible to simply mix Mac and Windows on a network?

So, any suggestions, before 5:30 preferably so I can explain to SWMBO what these magic beans are actually for when I get home? I have a feeling saying "I'll have it" when someone said "free!", without thinking it through is going to turn out to be a pain in the proverbial...

First world problem etc.

[Derwins Revenge]

Love it, only it's the newer flat screen version. Hmmm, worm farm maybe.

[Derwins Revenge]

LordGrover said:

I have a 2010 27" iMac and it's still in regular use. Upgraded to Mavericks when it came out. Still looks and goes great (although it takes a while to start from cold - original HDD. Pretty sure a decent SSD would cure that).

Just so happens I have a spare 60gb SSD that I swapped out of PC at weekend too - was going in the behind telly PC. Not sure on physical size of the drive though... Maybe the all in one iMacs use the smaller laptop sized H/SSDs? Might look into it if we decide to keep it as general or media computer.

I will start with a clean OS install but I have no discs or paperwork. Is there a way of finding out the OS licence from the computer and downloading the relevant OS version from Apple? Or do I need to hunt out the original discs? Or maybe there's a return to factory kind of thing on the apple OS?

[Derwins Revenge]

Nice one, thanks. Will have a look at it later hopefully, if it's allowed in the house ;-).
Cheers

[Derwins Revenge]

Well I tried it out and am having issues connecting to my wireless network. Didn't want to start a new thread for a minor iMac problem but hoping somebody can help...

Essentially, I can see the network and get as far as putting the passphrase in, but it simply tells me the passphrase is invalid. It's not, it's the right passphrase. It's no problem with the router or network, everything else works fine and I have a general idea with Window and iOS stuff.

I also tried re-installing the OS from discs (found them at work), that didn't work. When it rebooted on the disc the Apple logo just comes up and gets distorted, and hangs there.

So plan is to just reinstall by downloading from Apple (I understand they don't or didn't do licences so I should just be able to grab the OS). That means getting an Internet connection though...

So am I missing something basic, is there something extra you have to do on an iMac to connect to wireless router? It was so long ago that I last had a mac, that wireless didn't even exist (for homes anyway) so I haven't got a clue really! Have searched Google for iMac Virgin Superhub issues but no joy there.

Cheers

Oh and to answer what I should use it for, think it's going to be a Netflix, Spotify, iTunes machine for bedroom (if/when it works properly). Both kids love the look of it and want it, so wouldn't be fair to give it to one or the other!

[Derwins Revenge]

Zeek said:

BenM77 said:

How about trying Ethernet to the hub to get the OS sorted.

AND you found a use for that shiny new ethernet cable

Bingo! I don't post much but this why I love Pistonheads.

Though I probably should have thought of it myself

[Derwins Revenge]

BenM77 said:

What year and spec is the iMac?

iTunes homesharing works well and can be used on Mac and PC.

Not really sure, I think about 2009/10. Has a G5 CPU, does that sound right? I think we got it at work a year or two before Apple went Intel.

I quite liked it when I tried it and would have it downstairs if I wasn't using my PC so much (have a slight BF4/RaceRoom habit). Used to be a Mac fanboy but after ditching my aquarium/cat bed style iMac about 12 years ago, I haven't looked back. You get so much more for your money on PC. Anyway, I digress as I don't want this to be a Mac vs PC thread!

Thanks for the advice all...