What do I need to convert/use 2nd comp?
 

I have this 2nd actually 3rd box just sitting here.
Instead of it simply collecting dust, I'd like to turn it into a computer I can use for development stuff... ie programming in php, databases (mysql) etc.

Basically I'd like it to be set up similar to my regular hosted box, but simply right here, so if I screw something up (which I do regularly) I can just reboot or whatever.

I won't be hosting anything or serving any pages to the outside world, just to and from computer #2.

Any help, advice greatly appreciated!

Not sure what you're hosted on, but, I'd bet it is FreeBSD based on where you're hosted.

http://www.freebsd.org/

You mention an 'old' machine, so you'll probably want the i386 version, grab the disc-1 and disc-2 iso files, burn to CD, boot from disc 1 and it should run you through a pretty basic configuration and get you up and running. I've not used their installation procedure in a while, but, they use a system called ports so that you don't really have to do any compiling. That may be menu driven by now. You can then install apache, mysql, php, ssh and ftp and pretty much duplicate your server. Assign it a local IP address on your network (you could even install X windows and use it to surf the web, use firefox, etc).

Once you've done that, you should have a decent development environment at home that you can pound on and experiment with.

You could do the same with Fedora Core, Suse, Ubuntu, etc.

cd34 pretty much covered it. If you are hosting on a MS server, you can just install nt/2k/xp on the box (not the server versions) and running IIS from them. Installing mysql, php is a whole other story and requires some configuring to get it to work correctly. I always had issues with setting it up where as they claim it should take a few minutes but I never get the file to call correctly and thus takes me a few hours to correct.

Thanks!
It'll probably take me a few tries to figure it out, but I'll get it set up right.

You may want to give PCBSD a look too. http://www.pcbsd.com

I have been using my old boxes as NasLite servers for years.
http://www.serverelements.com/