Selfhosted

60253 readers

411 users here now

A place to share alternatives to popular online services that can be self-hosted without giving up privacy or locking you into a service you don't control.

Rules:

Detailed Rules Post

Be civil.
No spam.
Posts are to be related to self-hosting.
Don't duplicate the full text of your blog or readme if you're providing a link.
Submission headline should match the article title.
No trolling.
Promotion posts require active participation, with an account that is at least 30 days old. F/LOSS without a paywall has exceptions, with requirements. See the rules link for details.

Resources:

selfh.st Newsletter and index of selfhosted software and apps
awesome-selfhosted software
awesome-sysadmin resources
Self-Hosted Podcast from Jupiter Broadcasting

Any issues on the community? Report it using the report flag.

Questions? DM the mods!

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

curbstickle@anarchist.nexus

curbstickle_lw@lemmy.world

Steps to repurpose old laptop as home server with Debian (self.selfhosted)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by mfat to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world

28 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have an old ThinkPad 11e running Debian that I have repurposed into a home server. It's only supposed to run TVheadend. I don't need any other services for now, but later on i might add a few using docker.

Is it enough to set multiuser.target as default to disable gui and keep the system always on?

How can I disable all unnecessary services and minimize power usage?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] poVoq@slrpnk.net 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

That is why I said it depends. There are many places where electricity cuts for a short duration are quite frequent. Often you don't even notice it, but a 24/7 server would be effected.

In general, I think the risk of laptop batteries catching fire is overstated especially if you limit the charge to 80% or so. So weighting these two issues against each other you can come out either way, but I think for most places it will come down towards a UPS being nice to have.

[–] hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Everything has pros and cons. I've seen 3 laptops (of my family) with batteries that looked like a baloon after several years. I've subsequently removed or replaced them. I'd definitely check on them every now and then. A UPS is nice. Burning down a house isn't. I haven't seen them catch on fire (yet), they supposedly have at least some protection. But definitely get them out of the laptop once they're dead anyways or don't look alright. Everyone is responsible to make that decision on their own. Take care.

[–] realbadat@programming.dev 2 points 2 years ago

Worth taking a look at the battery - especially an old one on a repurposed device - before considering it safe. Spicy pillows happen.