OK ... the latest Ubuntu includes remote desktop software. You only need to have it log-in automatically, then use remote Windows software to access the computer using your home network. I find the free "realvnc.com" to be a simple install and use setup (my home network is not a secure network, so I don't use any encryption or passwords for access).
or if dont want to do that you can use synergy which i use (its inexpensive [read free] kvm software)... Synergy
it has support for pretty much everything (Windows from pretty much Windows 95 (and NT) to Windows 7 Mac OSX and pretty much any Unix and Unix derivative) and includes source code for you to compile in case you dont...
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Tx2500z Tablet Pc/Homemade Server
OS
Windows 7 Ult x64(x2), HomePrem x32(x4), Server 08 (+VM), 08 R2 (VM) , SuSe 11.2 (VM), XP 32 (VM)
CPU
Turion X2 ultra (oh well came with laptop)/P4 @3.2 (yes P4)
Motherboard
IDK HP Motherboard / Intel DG965SS
Memory
OCZ Dual Channel 4GB kit/ 1gb Dual Channel
Graphics Card(s)
HD 3200 graphics /GMA x3100 (yay for intergrated!!)
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio(mic working, well sort of)/Siig IC-70012
i haven't the faintest idea what to do with source code. i'm not a programmer. but the KVM thing seems out of reach anyway due to my lack of funds to but the switch box. looks like it's just a spare for now.
My Computer
OS
Windows 7 Professional 32-Bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X2 545 3GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H
Memory
3GB DDR2-800
Graphics Card(s)
PNY GeForce 9800 GT 512MB
Sound Card
Onboard sound
Monitor(s) Displays
e17T4 17"
Screen Resolution
1280x1024
Hard Drives
Western Digital Caviar 320GB IDE
PSU
Tiger 450W
Case
eMachines C6415 mATX
Cooling
AMD Stock Cooler
Keyboard
Logitech EX110 Wireless Keyboard
Mouse
Logitech EX110 Wireless Mouse
Internet Speed
Verizon FiOS
Other Info
Zonealarm Internet Security Suite 9 for Antivirus and Firewall
No monitor or optical drive severely crimps what you could do. I would install Real VNC on it then you could put all your mp3s on it and use it a a remote music player (assuming it has a sound card and speakers). Real VNC would let you use your other computer to remotely access the computer somewhat like a KVM switch would do for you. Real VNC is free for personal use.
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built desktop, Dell G15 5511 Gaming laptop,MS Surface Pro 7 tablet
OS
W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
CPU
3.7Ghz 8700K i7, i7-11800H, i7-1065G7
Motherboard
ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming in desktop
Memory
16G desktop, 16G laptop, 4G tablet
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon RX580, RTX 3060, Intel Iris Plus
Sound Card
High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung U32J59 32" (2x), 15.6", 12"
Screen Resolution
3840x2160, 3840x2160, 1920x1080, 2160x1440
Hard Drives
500G SSD for OS; 2T, 10T & 15T HDDs for Data on Desktop, 1TB SSD laptop, 128G SSD tablet.
PSU
Corsair CX 750M
Case
Antec 100
Cooling
CM 212+
Keyboard
IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
Mouse
Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse
Internet Speed
400M down 8M up
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
FireFox
Other Info
Built my first computer (8Mhz 8088cpu, 640K RAM, 20MB HDD, 2 360K floppy drives) in 1985 and have been building them for myself, relatives and friends ever since.
Before you get rid of it, try out the Project Looking Glass on it (3D desktop linux). doesn't work in a VM.
Grantd, last time I looked at the lgp it was three years ago. I looked it up and the site is still there, but the demo looks exactly the same as from the download from three years ago.
or, rig up a touchscreen and try MPX or Microsoft surface (requires a touch screen so not likely i presume)
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Apple 17" iMac MA199LL (Early 2006)
OS
Windows 8 Pro (32-bit)
CPU
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
Memory
2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300) (upgrade)
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Monitor(s) Displays
17-inch TFT active-matrix LCD, millions of colors
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900
Hard Drives
Hitachi 320GB HDT721032SLA360 7200RPM SATA II (upgrade)
it not only needs a touch screen..
it has to be multitouch...
as for synergy if you are using the above OS's then its pre-compiled and in a executable form for you to use...
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Tx2500z Tablet Pc/Homemade Server
OS
Windows 7 Ult x64(x2), HomePrem x32(x4), Server 08 (+VM), 08 R2 (VM) , SuSe 11.2 (VM), XP 32 (VM)
CPU
Turion X2 ultra (oh well came with laptop)/P4 @3.2 (yes P4)
Motherboard
IDK HP Motherboard / Intel DG965SS
Memory
OCZ Dual Channel 4GB kit/ 1gb Dual Channel
Graphics Card(s)
HD 3200 graphics /GMA x3100 (yay for intergrated!!)
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio(mic working, well sort of)/Siig IC-70012
Well you shot down all the ideas everyone suggested so my suggestion is to list it for sale on Craigslist or somewhere similar and sell it for whatever you could get for it for money to give to your parents toward what you owe them.
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built desktop, Dell G15 5511 Gaming laptop,MS Surface Pro 7 tablet
OS
W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
CPU
3.7Ghz 8700K i7, i7-11800H, i7-1065G7
Motherboard
ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming in desktop
Memory
16G desktop, 16G laptop, 4G tablet
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon RX580, RTX 3060, Intel Iris Plus
Sound Card
High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung U32J59 32" (2x), 15.6", 12"
Screen Resolution
3840x2160, 3840x2160, 1920x1080, 2160x1440
Hard Drives
500G SSD for OS; 2T, 10T & 15T HDDs for Data on Desktop, 1TB SSD laptop, 128G SSD tablet.
PSU
Corsair CX 750M
Case
Antec 100
Cooling
CM 212+
Keyboard
IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
Mouse
Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse
Internet Speed
400M down 8M up
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
FireFox
Other Info
Built my first computer (8Mhz 8088cpu, 640K RAM, 20MB HDD, 2 360K floppy drives) in 1985 and have been building them for myself, relatives and friends ever since.
