OldPCGuy
Sections

All questions on one page → New here? Start here → About Brandon →

Start here

Cartoon of Brandon in headphones and a blazer, sitting cross-legged on a pile of old computer parts, with a magnifying glass over a processor chip

Two paths through the site, in the order I'd read them. Pick the one that sounds like you, and stop as soon as your question is answered.

New to this? Start with these

For a regular Windows PC or laptop that's getting old. Go in this order and stop when your question is answered.

  1. Why is my computer so slow?

    Open Task Manager and see which graph sits near 100%: Disk, Memory, or CPU. That tells you what to fix.

  2. How do I keep getting Windows 10 security updates?

    Enroll in free Extended Security Updates (ESU) from Windows Update. Home PCs are covered until October 12, 2027.

  3. Can my PC run Windows 11?

    Run Microsoft's free PC Health Check. PCs from 2018 on usually pass, and a TPM or Secure Boot failure can often be fixed in the BIOS.

  4. Should I upgrade the SSD or RAM first?

    If it still has a hard drive, the SSD, almost always. If it has an SSD but only 4 GB of memory, add memory.

  5. How do I move everything to a new computer?

    Copy your folders to an external drive, back up with Windows Backup, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and reinstall programs.

  6. How do I wipe a computer before selling it?

    Back up, then Reset this PC with Remove everything and Clean data on. For an SSD, turn on encryption first.

  7. What should I do with an old laptop?

    Speed it up, give it Linux or a new job, sell or donate it, or recycle it free if it's done.

Tinkerers and homelabbers

For anyone who wants an old PC to do a new job: a home server, Linux, or a cluster of mini PCs.

  1. How do I turn an old PC into a home server?

    Pick a 64-bit PC with an SSD, start with CasaOS or ZimaOS, reach it through Tailscale, and back it up.

  2. CasaOS or ZimaOS for an old PC home server?

    ZimaOS for a dedicated file server with an app store. CasaOS to keep a regular Debian or Ubuntu system underneath.

  3. Which used tiny PC should I buy?

    A Lenovo M720q or M920q for the PCIe slot, or a Dell OptiPlex Micro or HP EliteDesk Mini if you don't need it.

  4. Can I run Pi-hole on an old PC?

    Yes. Any 64-bit PC with Debian works. Install Pi-hole, give the PC a fixed address, and point your router at it.

  5. Can Immich replace Google Photos on an old PC?

    For most families, yes. You need 8 GB of memory, an SSD, and Docker, and you have to handle backups yourself.

  6. How do I build a Proxmox cluster on mini PCs?

    Use three nodes, give each its final name and fixed IP first, and keep VM storage on a NAS.

  7. What's the best Linux for an old laptop?

    Linux Mint for most people. The Xfce edition or Lubuntu for 4 GB or older processors.