In the corporate world, larger companies build what are called “disaster recovery” centers. This is an off-site building that houses a miniaturized version of the entire company’s computer network. Its sole purpose in life is to be there in case a disastrous situation happens at the primary data center (fire, explosion, etc.) so the company keeps running no matter what.

Being that Joe and Jane computer user don’t have that kind of money to build one of these, we have to resort to a much smaller scale.

Question: Why have a disaster recovery computer?

Answer: So you have something to use in case your primary computer fails.

Your DR computer doesn’t have to be expensive nor does it have to be new. All it has to do is work in case your primary box decides to conk out.

If using Windows XP:

If using a desktop, you can get by easily with a Pentium III powered computer. This will run Windows XP easily even with only 128MB of RAM on-board (although it’s suggested you go with at least 512MB minimum). Pent-3’s are easy to come by and moreover are cheap.

If using a laptop, a 1GHz Celeron processor with 256MB RAM on-board will do the job just fine. However you should make sure that the native screen resolution is at least 1024×768. An LCD native res of 800×600 simply isn’t enough as most major web sites are designed for the 1024 minimum. This setup will also run Windows XP easily.

Either setup should have at least 1 USB port, preferably USB 2.0 hi-speed spec. It’s especially important to have this if you intend your DR computer to have wireless connectivity (you can pick up a small USB wireless adapter to enable this).

If using a Mac (OS X):

If using a desktop, a G4-spec Mini or iMac will do the job, however it’s recommended to go minimum G5 if possible as OS X is agonizingly slow on a G4.

if using a laptop, a 13-inch screen Macbook will do fine. Again, you can go minimum G4 but it’s recommended G5 or higher.

While it’s true you could use a G3 with OS9, it’s better overall if you use a Mac that will run OS X. Using OS9 instead of OS X is like using Windows 98 instead of Windows XP.

If using Linux:

As crazy as this sounds, you could “get away” with a pre-Pentium era 486 processor using Damn Small Linux. In fact the absolute minimum req’s for that distro is a 486DX (66MHz processor) with 16MB of RAM.

It will be slow, it will be only the bare essentials as far as a GUI is concerned, but yes it will work.

However, given the fact that 486-powered PCs do not have any capability for USB ports whatsoever (as none of them have PCI slots, only ISA), it’s highly recommended that you do not use a computer that slow or out-of-date. Stick to the 733MHz-and-higher territory only.

What should your DR computer have?

A quick checklist goes like this:

• Ability to send/receive e-mail easily. If you use web-based e-mail, set up the bookmark in the browser. If you use an e-mail client (such as Outlook Express or Mozilla Thunderbird), install that and set up your account appropriately.
• Ability to do word processing and other like-related tasks (OpenOffice or Abiword, your choice).
• A browser installed that has all the plugins you currently use (IE, Safari, Firefox with the at-present current Flash plugin and whatever other plugins you use).
• All instant messengers that you use.
• An OS that is completely updated. Whether Windows XP, OS X or Linux, the OS should be completely updated.

You can add in as many apps as you need to get rolling with your DR computer. At the end of setup, you should be able to boot the computer and start using it immediately without the need to set up any additional items.

Tips for maintaining a DR computer

This computer will most likely sit in a closet, possibly for many months. Your #1 enemy is dirt build-up. The easiest way to combat this is to put the computer in a duffle bag (one that can fit the computer easily) and zip it up. This will keep dust build-up out. In addition, having the computer in the bag is convenient because you can store all the cables in there along with the computer itself.

If your DR computer is a laptop, you can pick up a cheap laptop bag at Wal-Mart that will do the same job.

Is it really necessary to have a DR computer?

In my particular situation, a large chunk of my life is done by computer. Online banking, scheduling, communications, my job itself and so on. So yes, for me it’s absolutely required to have a DR computer (mine is a laptop).

The Big Question is this: How much would it impact your life in the negative direction if you had absolutely no access to a computer at home? If the answer makes your heart skip a beat and causes you to say “Wow.. that would really, really suck!”, you might want to consider building a DR computer.