urbtree

hi
not sure this is the right section

i`m running windows 7 on my main computer and have a little laptop pentium 3 256mb ram

i would like to set up my lappy as a network bootable thin client. but i`m un sure on how to go about this
can any one help me with this.

i`m no pc noob but dont know any thing about thin clients
not sure you need system specs but i`ll be happy to provide.

thanks in advance

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buckit

start by looking up PXE booting. if your laptop doesnt support it then you are SOL.

also, simply google "use a laptop as thinclient".

why do you want to network boot it anyway? is it speed of the laptop? if so then look up Windows XP for Legacy PC's. also known as Windows Fundamentals.

urbtree

tried the google thing but was getting bombarded with acronyms i`ve never heard before lol

thanks for the pxe tip i`ll follow it up.

network booting was down to speed as its a lowly pentium 3 with 256 meg o ram its pretty poor so i was thinking as a thin client i can harness the power of my main rig while keeping the lappy in my office
and i`ll look into fundamentals.

was more looking for info on where to start looking so thats what i got
thanks man

any other help still gratefully received though

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pippolo

The desktop virtualization is usually a thing for huge installations, not for home usage. The costs of the software (and the necessary hardware) is generally high.

But if you need only of a second (little) computer, I suggest you 2 possible simple solutions:

a) use Windows Terminal Services. Convert your main rig (Windows 7) to a terminal server and use the laptop as a terminal (it isn't necessary that you use PXE; you can install the client program on the HD laptop).

b) (preferred by me) install a Virtual Machine server on the main rig and access remotely the VMs with an RDP client (or a VNC client) installed on the laptop.
You can install the VMware Server (free) or the VirtualBox server (from Sun) on the Windows 7 PC and a simple light linux distro on the laptop.
Using an RDP client (or a VNC client; both VMware and VirtualBox supports RDP and VNC - directly or using the VM OS) on the laptop you can access to the remote VM.

You can start looking at the 2 sites (VMware or VirtualBox). Here you can find a lot of info. VMware is commercial (but the Server is free) and probably better supported, but VirtualBox is totally free and with a good support also (Sun).

jackeyjoe

mate, have you considered using a linux distro on that old laptop. It should run everything just fine without all the flashy stuff (mine uses 256mb ram) and will give it a second lease of life (just did it with a newer old laptop). I'd just thought i'd suggest it as it could be helpful for you. Good luck to you sir

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The_Rocker

That idea is your best bet. The PXE system is designed for large organisations with server set ups and loads of client machines. Most companies only use PXE to kick start a windows image based installation over a network anyway.

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Manyak

That's only because it doesn't become cost effective until several hundred clients are in place because of the really powerful server(s) you need, not because it's technically inferior or harder to maintain.

Turning a PIII into a thin client is an awesome idea IMO.

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urbtree

awsome help guys. i`m downloading vb now gonna try and have a play today but i gotta cane work all week end so i`ll post update on how im getting on in a few days

thanks so much all

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urbtree

i`m just installing windows 7 64 on vb now how easy is that. hope its this easy to get it on my lappy

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urbtree

ok so after a lot of good advice from here and various other places if settle on virtua box buy sun micros systems

this is an awsome program
its free
had it running in five min
installed windows 7 64 and it works perfect

now i just have to work out how to get my lappy to access it
any ideas?

lap top runs xp but i`d like to do away with it really and have it boot straight to windows 7 if that even possible

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