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Turn your Windows 2003 Server installation into a workstation!

post #1 of 96
Thread Starter 
Optimizing Server 2003 for workstation use and function

Its common knowledge that Windows server 2003 is on the of the most stable server platforms available. Its stability is said to rival that of Linux.
Here's a guide to remove all or most of the server like traits and have it function much like XP pro with many more features and much more speed and stability.
My experience with Server 2003 has been with the enterprise.



Walkthroughs and workings the inner workings of Windows Server 2003

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Windows 2003 support forum (temporary until we get some more info, if this is prohibited by the TOS someone tell me )
http://forums.windowsitpro.com/web/f...=50&entercat=y


http://win2k3.msfn.org/ <--- Walkthrough
Most of that ^^^^ in a program(listed here), I suggest doing the registry edits etc. It gives you more of an understanding of how Server 2003 can be used.

http://labmice.techtarget.com/windows2003/default.htm <--- Support page (various links to MS web page catagorised)

How to disable windows event tracker by kc-tr



TOOLS/UTILITES

Some more utility's: (brought to you by -iceblade^)
Quote:
Server to windows xp conversion
Working link
Workstation easy conversion exe:
Server 2003 workstation .exe
Its about 500kb's and you can edit some hard to find features easily
(I suggest doing the registry edits etc. It gives you more of an understanding of how Server 2003 can be used.)
(Props to probn for finding the conversion.exe )

Toolkit from microsoft.com
Quote:
Overview: The Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools are a set of tools to help administrators streamline management tasks such as troubleshooting operating system issues, managing Active Directory®, configuring networking and security features, and automating application deployment.
(Server 2003 tool pack link and list on post #48 )



Helpful info on Server 2003 (the specifics)


I "dug" up some more info off wiki
Link to wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_server_2003

Quote:
Standard Edition:
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition is aimed towards small to medium sized businesses. Flexible and versatile, Standard Edition supports file and printer sharing, offers secure Internet connectivity, and allows centralized desktop application deployment. This edition of Windows will run on up to 4 processors with up to 4 GB RAM. 64-bit versions are also available for the AMD64Intel clone of that same architecture, EM64T (called, collectively, x64 by Microsoft). The 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition is capable of addressing up to 32 GB of RAM and it also supports Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA), something the 32-bit version does not. architecture and the

Enterprise Edition:
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition is aimed towards medium to large businesses. It is a full-function server operating system that supports up to eight processors and provides enterprise-class features such as eight-node clustering using Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) software and support for up to 32 GB of memory. Enterprise Edition also comes in 64-bit versions for the Itanium and x64 architectures. The 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition [64-bit] is capable of addressing up to 1 Terabyte (1024 GB) of RAM. Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions support Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA). It also provides the ability to hot-add supported hardware.
The main difference between Standard Edt. and Enterprise Edt. are the features, a comparison would be XP home to XP pro.



Server 2003 free trial!
WWW>> Here
You need an account on the Microsoft website. Here is where you sign in and download the ISO.
Quote:
Windows Server 2003 R2 Trial Software Downloads
Windows Server 2003 R2 Trial Software
Trial software for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003 R2 is available for 180-day evaluation. Register to order a CD or to download the trial software.

Also server 2003 is targeted a good deal less by virus's than say XP. Windows server only makes up a marginal percentile of the total OS's compared to XP.
List of questionable games that may not run on Server 2003 normaly(tested by peoplez):
Battlefield:Vietnam
Diablo II
cs:1.6<(works?) - DOD - HL1
Redalert 2
Company of Heros
2Moons
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
  hide details  
Reply
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
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post #2 of 96
old old news, but nice find. win2k3 is a stable platform, but when i turned it into a workstation i still had problems with it. all the things you disable of course make the platform more unstable.
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post #3 of 96
I have access to Server... I might have to try an install on the second hard drive and see what I can get out of it. XP for gaming, server for everything else?

Nice links Chosen.
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MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
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Logitech G5 Digidesign MBox 2 
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post #4 of 96
I ran server2003 as a workstation for several months, I really liked it.

If you can get a copy of server from school or something, I would suggest trying this. I wouldn't pay the huge price for server to do this however.
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post #5 of 96
Thread Starter 
I was lucky enough to get a copy from my schools computer admin for free

Oh and server 2003 runs games very well. But if the game was made before 2001 it most likely wont work.
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
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CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
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post #6 of 96
No problem brah!!!
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CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Swiftech MCRES-Micro Rev 2 Larkooler 240mm Rad server 2008 RC2 HP 2207HD 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
HP Classic wireless PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W High P... NZXT Phantom...again lol HP Classic wireless 
Mouse PadAudioOther
MicroCenter Onboard TBA 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i5 2550k@5.2ghz 1.49v MSI P67A-GD65 (B3) Nvidia GTX 550ti Sli Patriot Viper 2 Sector7 DDR1600 8GB 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingOS
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MonitorKeyboardPowerMouse
HP 2207HD HP Classic wireless PC Power 950w HP Classic wireless 
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Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingOS
Patriot inferno 60GB SSD LG DVD-RW+ SATA Corsair H50 Windows 7 Ultimate 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Samsung 32" LCD Microsoft generic Corsair GS700 NZXT Phantom 
MouseMouse PadAudioOther
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post #7 of 96
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chosen View Post
I was lucky enough to get a copy from my schools computer admin for free

Oh and server 2003 runs games very well. But if the game was made before 2001 it most likely wont work.
Won't be a problem for me, although I'm seeing on Nvidia's site only x64 drivers for Server 2003? Surley they support the x86 versions, to. I'll have to dig a little deeper.
morpheus
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smith
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For Sale: For Sale: Shure X2u XLR to USB Interface
$75 (USD) or best offer
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Core i5 2400 GIGABYTE GA-H67MA-UD2H-B3 XFX Radeon 7850 Double D G.Skill Ripjaw X 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
OCZ Vertex 3 Western Digital 640gb AAKS Zalman VF900 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Dell P2210H OCN Ducky 9004 FSP Group FSP450-60GHS(85)-R InWin Dragon Slayer mATX 
MouseAudio
Logitech G5 Digidesign MBox 2 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsHard Drive
i5-3210m Lenovo X230 Intel HD 4000 Samsung SSD 
OSMonitor
Windows 7 12.5" IPS LED Backlit Panel, 1366x768 
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morpheus
(16 items)
 
smith
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For Sale: For Sale: Shure X2u XLR to USB Interface
$75 (USD) or best offer
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Core i5 2400 GIGABYTE GA-H67MA-UD2H-B3 XFX Radeon 7850 Double D G.Skill Ripjaw X 
Hard DriveHard DriveCoolingOS
OCZ Vertex 3 Western Digital 640gb AAKS Zalman VF900 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Dell P2210H OCN Ducky 9004 FSP Group FSP450-60GHS(85)-R InWin Dragon Slayer mATX 
MouseAudio
Logitech G5 Digidesign MBox 2 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsHard Drive
i5-3210m Lenovo X230 Intel HD 4000 Samsung SSD 
OSMonitor
Windows 7 12.5" IPS LED Backlit Panel, 1366x768 
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post #8 of 96
Usually server can use the XP drivers, so I wouldn't worry about that too much.
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Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
4TB Seagate Windows 8 x64 Overlord x270 OC G-Tune Topre Realforce 
PowerAudio
800w Yulong D100 DAC with Denon D7000 headphones 
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SUPERPWN
(10 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
Core i5 4670K Asus z87-Pro Gigabye GTX 780 32GB DDR3 Gskill Ripjaws 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
4TB Seagate Windows 8 x64 Overlord x270 OC G-Tune Topre Realforce 
PowerAudio
800w Yulong D100 DAC with Denon D7000 headphones 
  hide details  
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post #9 of 96
Thread Starter 
Dug up some more info!
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
  hide details  
Reply
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
  hide details  
Reply
post #10 of 96
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipp View Post
Won't be a problem for me, although I'm seeing on Nvidia's site only x64 drivers for Server 2003? Surley they support the x86 versions, to. I'll have to dig a little deeper.
For all of my drivers I just downloaded the xp/2000 drivers. All worked fine.
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
  hide details  
Reply
    
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
AM2 5200+x2 EPoX MF570SLI ATI X1900XT 512mb 2x1gb G.Skill DDR2-800 
Hard DriveOSMonitorKeyboard
WD2500KS Windows XP pro 21'' Dell Trinitron P1130 Generic Micro innovations brand 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Sunbeam Nuuo 550W Cooler Master CM690 MX-518 Fellowes Microban Blackness 
  hide details  
Reply
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