How to build a nas from an old laptop 💻 Got an old laptop collecting dust? In this video, I’ll show you how to transform it into a powerful and reliable Home NAS (Network Attached Storage) using TrueNAS—for FREE! 1 day ago · Before dropping cash on a NAS, try turning your old PC into one. I put my old gaming computer to use by making it into a NAS. Plus, if you outgrow your old PC NAS solution, you can always build your own NAS/media server and bring over your PCIe cards to your new build. Dec 26, 2024 · What you'll need to build a Windows NAS An old PC and some NAS drives will do Creating a Windows NAS is easy, especially if you have older hardware. Whether you're looking to repurpose an old computer, create a home network server, or set up a data storage solution Jan 22, 2022 · Lately I've seen a tutorial on how to turn an old PC into a NAS. Jul 19, 2011 · However, if you have an old computer lying around, you can actually turn it into a NAS for free with the aptly-named FreeNAS software. May 5, 2025 · Why Should You Build a DIY NAS? Building a NAS (Network Attached Storage) can provide many different benefits. This video is another addition to how to series for Synology NAS. I'm wondering if I should buy a Synology and put drives in it, buy a newer version of WD Book, or convert my old PC into a DIY NAS. Accordingly, this lets you save on the cost of hardware. You can repurpose it as a server or network-attached storage (NAS) drive, and here’s how. Jul 5, 2024 · Turn old PCs into private clouds with Nextcloud for easy data backup and file sharing. I would say start there as it's free, and then maybe upgrade to a Synology NAS if TrueNAS doesn't fit your needs. How to Build a Storage Server From OLD PC Discover the art of repurposing an old PC into a remarkable storage server with our comprehensive guide. One of the key advantages of going the DIY route is the customization it offers. Nov 3, 2024 · Using an old Mac as a NAS is way easier than setting up a new one from scratch. In the past I've always seen LTT videos on this topic, including one about using FreeNAS. You'll want to back up all the data on the old drives Welcome to our step-by-step guide on how to turn your old PC into a server. com Got an old laptop or PC taking up space? Here's how to repurpose it as your own personal storage server. I don't need it for heavy data usage just trying to have universal storage for all our old files. Here's my journey to my first home nas and obviously, I'm not an expert, so leave your comments down below if I mess up something. This is my 25TB NAS & Home Server Build! . Here's what you need to know about. #trueNAS #BudgetNAS #DIYNASOur video today is building a Home DIY NAS with a limited budget. Consider deploying OpenMediaVault, which is user-friendly and basically designed for home users. Jun 29, 2018 · The NAS4Free wiki has plenty of info on how to setup and run the OS on your device. Jun 10, 2014 · Do you have an old desktop PC sitting in a closet somewhere? Put it to use by installing FreeNAS. com for thread: "Hi, I'm trying to build a home NAS from an old office PC, help and advice appreciated!" Unfortunately, no related topics are found on the New Community Forums. Old rackmount servers -can- be a good deal, but You have a lot of good old hard drives, you want to merge them and create a private cloud server. Unlike off-the-shelf NAS solutions (my favorite being Synology), a DIY NAS can be tailored to your needs. On a Windows computer you have many ways to protect your data and turn it into a file server. But using an old PC as a NAS server offers a few advantages over a pre-built solution. Nextcloud installation is simple and can run on older hardware with decent Ethernet or Wi-Fi capabilities Don’t throw it away just yet. This guide will run you through everything you’d need for a DIY NAS and why you’d want to consider building one. Follow me along when I convert this old dumpsterfind server to a true budget DIY nas build with Truenas Scale. I find it helpful to decouple data storage from my other systems. The ESSENTIAL Home Server Setup Turn Any Old Computer into a Useful Home Server The $0 Home Server Easy home server for the average user ====Links==== GUIDE: https://chriskalos. Usually, you will build a file server by repurposing an older computer or server using free NAS software How to turn old laptop into NAS server for free If you have an old laptop, don't rush to throw it away because it has many uses. I know the focus had some is Jan 27, 2025 · Even an old laptop will work as a beginner NAS, allowing you to go down the custom-build route without spending too much on hardware. We’ll cover everything from selecting the right May 23, 2022 · Background 🔗︎ Why build a NAS server? 🔗︎ NAS stands for network-attached storage. Home Server Build Parts 1. Sep 7, 2023 · Purpose-built NAS solutions are great if you just want something quick and easy to use. Apr 30, 2025 · The software implementation of RAID and the file system determine the choice of operating system DIY NAS: important aspects A self-assembled home NAS provides an opportunity to utilize used computer components (your own, or purchased), or laptops with a dead screen. Hi I want to build a minimal NAS that supports RAID 5 with 4-8 drive bays. Apr 3, 2025 · My recommendation is to save money (and the environment) by repurposing an old PC with a few NAS-rated drives and a versatile OS. What is your laptop model? What's the CPU installed? If it does support virtualization, you could install any free hypervisor (ESXi, Hyper-V, Proxmox) and virtualize XPEnology as a VM, thus build NAS on top of your laptop. truenas. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. FreeNAS is a free, open-source operating system that will convert old PCs into network-attached storage devices. 03:56 Setting up NEW Case. Since you’re choosing the components and the software, you can tailor the setup to your Turn Your Old Laptop into a Powerful NAS Server FREE. 04:43 Challenges & Solutions 08:44 Final Thoughts . Aug 28, 2012 · By turning your old, perfectly serviceable PC into a NAS device you can easily save hundreds of pounds on installing software such as FreeNAS instead of buy a new box. May 10, 2021 · I did that for years, in the end I had 12 USB drives plugged into an old laptop that was running a hand built NAS solution. With the feature available on Windows computers, you can create your own NAS server. Dec 1, 2024 · These computer parts are actually from my old pc and my fail attempt for DIY a nas after watching some youtube videos. If it does not support virtualization, try installing XPEnology onto the laptop or use other solutions like Openmediavault, EasyNAS, TrueNAS to describe local storage as Feb 26, 2024 · Related topics on forums. They can be small… or BIG. So, why have a whole dedicated server for data? After all, every computer stores data. 1 on a laptop and using it as the server for some external hard drives I own. It’s also the best way to create precisely the NAS system you want, without compromising on detail. A USB Drive (at least 8GB): You’ll need this to install Windows. I see so many suggestions to people to use a mini PC to build their own Nas, which makes a lot of sense to use containers and add server functionality, But my immediate thought is how limited you are for storage. Sep 18, 2024 · In this how-to guide, I will explain the steps to turn your Windows 11 computer into a NAS. May 6, 2025 · Turn your old laptop into a cost-effective, energy-efficient home server. There are several operating systems and software solutions that can turn your old laptop into a NAS. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of building a powerful Unraid NAS using a Xeon E3 1245v2 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and a Fractal Design Node 804 case. I know how to build computers but I don't know where to start here. My HP Mediasmart EX490 was failing meaning I ne Mar 11, 2024 · In essence, a NAS Server or (Network Attached Storage server) is a centralized device on your network that acts like a digital filing cabinet. FreeNAS also supports plug-ins, so you could even run a BitTorrent client or media server on it 2 days ago · Simply slot in an appropriate PCIe card. 2 on PC without any command line Any old computer can be turned into a NAS. Learn more Turn Any PC Into a Synology NAS with XPEnology! In this video, I'll show you how to install XPEnology on any PC to transform it into a fully functional Synology NAS. Building with used parts is fine for me. 💻 Got an old laptop collecting dust? In this video, I’ll show you how to transform it into a powerful and reliable Home NAS (Network Attached Storage) using TrueNAS—for FREE! Perfect for Yes, you can repurpose an old laptop as a NAS. Thanks to Pulseway for sponsoring this video! Try Pulseway for free to start monitoring and managing your server or PC, and get 20% off for a limited time at We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. This video will help you do that Part 2 : • How to create your own cloud storage from Oct 17, 2011 · Building your own NAS is a great way to safeguard and share your data, without breaking the bank. Oct 17, 2024 · An old computer doesn't have to be e-waste — you can turn it into a NAS server for your house. Nov 2, 2024 · Here's how you can build your own DIY NAS server and store all your data for less. 5" WD Red NAS HDD's to it. The Case You Pick Sets the Tone for Your Build When building a NAS, there are a lot of things to consider. Sep 29, 2024 · How I Built a NAS with Old Hard Drives of Different Sizes Years ago, I wrote an article in Portuguese discussing why audio and video professionals should consider using a Network-Attached Storage … May 11, 2020 · I want to replace it with a newer NAS setup because although it is functioning perfectly, it is close to 9 years old. Old rackmount servers -can- be a good deal, but Building cheap DIY NAS Explained in HINDI {Computer Wednesday} science to technology 322K subscribers Subscribe Oct 17, 2011 · Building your own NAS is a great way to safeguard and share your data, without breaking the bank. Save money, reduce e-waste, and unlock its hidden potential! Turn an old PC into a NAS: options, steps, security, and tips to get the most out of it without overspending. Affiliate Links for Items related to this video:NAS Rated Hard Drives:4TB WD RED - https://amzn. Apr 18, 2023 · Introduction: Building your own Network Attached Storage (NAS) can be a rewarding DIY project that allows you to create a centralized storage solution for your home or office. I think I w Mar 19, 2021 · 1) The NAS Case is the hardest We’re building a NAS, a Network Attached Storage device, which is basically a hard drive on your network that you can save files to, just like an internal hard drive. 1 day ago · That is why I built my own NAS for a fraction of the cost using components from an old PC and some used pieces I bought on the internet for half off. However, if you don't have time/don't want to tinker, just go with Synology from the start. May 28, 2013 · What Does a NAS or Home Server Do? Network Attached Storage—or NAS for short—is basically a set of hard drives connected to your network, so any computer in your house can access them. If it does not support virtualization, try installing XPEnology onto the laptop or use other solutions like Openmediavault, EasyNAS, TrueNAS to describe local storage as Feb 5, 2014 · We've shown you some other great uses for an old PC, like using FreeNAS 8 to build a home NAS or using Ubuntu to build a fully-featured home server, and Amahi takes a similar approach. Jul 21, 2024 · You can use your Windows 11 PC as a NAS without losing out on using the system as a general computer or for gaming. Mar 7, 2014 · Update - Old laptop did not work out for NAS so I used old desktop components and bought a cabinet, PSU and a 120GB SSD for TrueNAS. From case to storage, here's everything you need to build your very own network attached storage system. Step by step, we'll show you how to unlock the Mar 25, 2025 · All network-attached storage (NAS) enclosures come powered by Linux and are very capable little servers. In this video I'll show you how to turn your old PC, Laptop or some old hardware you have laying around, into a useful home server that can become your NAS or run services like Twingate, Motioneye You have many hard drives with different capacities, how to build a NAS server from them. Mar 7, 2022 · This is an old pre-assembled PC from a small local computer shop in Italy in a Philips case, so the old CPU (which is now missing) came with a Intel D60188-001 stock cooler (link here). This guide will show you how to create a NAS with your PC and still use it as We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. However, should you wish to save money through repurposing an old system or simply want to learn something new by building and launching your own NAS, TrueNAS Scale is a great OS to use. DSM convert old PCs into network-attached storage devices. how to build NAS server in 1gb ram + 2 duo Old PC Tamil Tech Dudes 510 subscribers Subscribe In today's video, I will be showing you how to make your very own cloud for free! This is called a NAS and it stands for Network-attached storage. notion. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can turn your old hardware into a NAS system that allows you to store and access your files over a network. Feb 19, 2018 · I am hoping to get some advice on installing FreeNAS 11. Make your Own NAS for Home and office from Old PCmore May 21, 2024 · A PC or NAS Unit: If using a NAS make sure it is compatible with 3rd party operating systems. If you're after a slim Just really curious. See full list on nasmaster. Conclusion Building your own DIY NAS from an old PC is an excellent way to get advanced features and plenty of storage space without paying out for a brand name. Any recommendation for building a nas with new parts? Apr 21, 2025 · Don't junk that ancient laptop or desktop! With just a bit of extra effort, you can transform an old gaming PC into a NAS, experiment with a new OS, build your own security cam, and more. First, you need to decide whether you want to use your old Mac as a server or a NAS drive. Apr 24, 2022 · The screenshot below shows a perfect example of a computer that can be turned into a NAS server, not only is it small, but it’s powerful enough to become a server. Do most people use direct attached storage, external enclosures, etc? Or is your Nas limited to the storage you can get out of whatever the mini PC can hold (One Mar 24, 2024 · Learn how to build a powerful and cost-effective Network Attached Storage (NAS) system using Linux, enhancing your home or office storage solutions. I want to build a NAS using my old PC. I dont have much budget to buy a new computer and NAS. t Jul 10, 2025 · Do you have an old desktop PC sitting in a closet somewhere? Put it to use by installing FreeNAS . " Basically, it's a way to attach a hard drive to your network and make it accessible to all your devices for centralized file-sharing and backups. Meaning th. I have an old Dell laptop intel i3 62-bit system with 8gb ram Apr 6, 2025 · While you could buy an off-the-shelf NAS, sometimes it's better (and more fun) to build your own. All you'd need are a few external drives and you're good to go. 00:00 Intro 03:23 Disassembling OLD PC Case. In this video, I will show you how to make it your own NAS server. The steps are very easy to use old / broken laptop pc and make a diy project using them. The value is high even with a NAS that can't quite reach 1 gig transfer rates because USB-whatever is too pokey. Jan 22, 2022 · Lately I've seen a tutorial on how to turn an old PC into a NAS. Jun 2, 2014 · FreeNAS can breathe new life into old hardware and sling files and media to networked devices all around your house. In this video I'll show you how to install Synology DSM 7. Got an old laptop or PC taking up space? Here's how to repurpose it as your own personal storage server. Sitting on an old laptop? Why not just make it into a full-blown NAS server (Network Attached Storage) and create your own cloud at home while Make sure to check out the follow up video where I make some upgrades! • Upgrading My TrueNAS Server I needed a NAS, so I set out to build my own with primarily used PC components. Oct 29, 2021 · @TrueNAS In this video, I am converting my old PC into TrueNAS based Network attached Storage. Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best Top New Controversial Old Q&A flaming_m0e • Jan 29, 2015 · NAS stands for "Network-Attached Storage. Watch this video because it can be doneHDD 1TB Western Digital http Apr 23, 2021 · Do you have an old desktop PC sitting in a closet somewhere? Put it to use by installing DSM. We can start from a 0$-50$ budget depending on what is available Feb 5, 2014 · We've shown you some other great uses for an old PC, like using FreeNAS 8 to build a home NAS or using Ubuntu to build a fully-featured home server, and Amahi takes a similar approach. Putting a server together on a budget depends on how complete of a PC you already have and how much storage you need. More Powerful – A pre-built NAS computer may be easier to set up, but they’re also less powerful. A server is a powerful computer that can handle complex tasks, such as hosting a website or running a database. A NAS server’s primary job is storing data and making it available to other computers on your network. Building your network-attached storage (NAS) from scratch can be exciting but there are some things to consider before repurposing an old PC. May 17, 2021 · This tutorial can also be used to convert old pc or computer to server. Jul 16, 2025 · Building a DIY NAS is the cheap option to get setup with a home server, here's how I did it and everything you need to know to get started. We'll show you how to get started. At home I've been using OpenMediaVault (Debian based NAS distro), on an old laptop motherboard with some hardware hacking to be able to connect two 3. I use TrueNas running off a 16gb USB drive, plugged into an old PC (basically just used my the storage on the old PC for now). site/The-0- Jan 2, 2025 · Building your network-attached storage (NAS) from scratch can be exciting but there are some things to consider before repurposing an old PC. The main idea with this conversion is to create a private NAS to host a Plex Server and store personal files. Fixing up an old PC to use as a NAS Despite how much off-the-shelf NAS units cost, you don't actually need particularly powerful hardware to do almost anything you might want. The main one is what footprint you want the system to take up. Use your NAS as a central file storage or backup location for every PC on your network. Old 100GB HDD will be used for Win10 installation. I know the focus had some is Jan 15, 2022 · I go over how I turned a old laptop into a basic NAS. Apart from power consumption, what is the point to buy a NAS ? Are they preform much better than PC in NAS software ? Any good NAS software recommend if I build it myself? Jan 15, 2022 · I go over how I turned a old laptop into a basic NAS. Now I'm wondering, does it make sense to turn any old PC into a NAS? I'm in the market for a NAS, but they're a decent investment. Aug 7, 2023 · Conclusion Building a basic NAS system with old hardware is a great way to repurpose your old computer and create a useful storage solution. You could also use your NAS to make your files available to you over the Internet, using it as a remote file server you can access from anywhere. Sep 18, 2024 · A NAS is a dedicated device designed specifically to store and share data over the network. I also go over the advantages and disadvantages of using a laptop as a NAS. qvynuaoy rxwxy zxnbi fkgkp udus tkjnc tpxeefs wcqgqrde lxcne iycilq tvpa xtjjes fpqg pxyrih xjxm