Windows Server 2003? Need advice

[ArcticFox]

OK, like most people, I've fallen in deep, romantic love with 2000 Pro. I use it and my only serious complaint is that gaming sucks on it. So I see that Micro$oft has released Windows Server 2003, and I can't help but wonder:

1. I need to run all the stuff that I use with Win2k
2. Need it to run on a 700 PIII laptop with 128mb RAM (soon 512mb)
3. Don't tell me anything about the cost, I'm just looking into it.

Comp specs:
700 PIII-M
128mb RAM
10gb HD (soon 40gb)
Mobility Rage

Help me, help me!

[nishark]

without having used winserver2003 i have one thing to say:

u will definitely need more than 128mb RAM. so ur new 512 stick plus the old 128 stick definitely makes it feasible

good luck

[rockpile]

As nishark stated 2003 server needs a minimum of 512 RAM but I have heard very good things about it.

[Ptrper]

I just picked up MSDN and have been implementing Win Server 2K3 on a home server for an upcoming .Net deployment.

What is it that you want to do with Server .Net on your laptop when you say it has to run all your W2K stuff?

[SpookyEddy]

As nishark stated 2003 server needs a minimum of 512 RAM but I have heard very good things about it.

Not sure why you think this is the case, I am running Win2k3 on a dual PII 233 with 128 MBs of RAM as an Exchange 2003 test rig. Certainly its not the fastest setup in the world but it generally works fine. That said as with all modern operating systems the more ram you can stick in the box the better, I usually start with a gig as memory is relatively cheap.

Anyway, I agree that Win2k3 is a nice server OS but not sure how well it would work as a desktop box.

Regards

ed

[Siliconjunkie]

It can be made to run like a desktop, but why bother? You are just making it into XP. All the things that it adds for a desktop OS you get in XP.

Also, more than 128 megs will help your 2k alot as well.

[nishark]

since arctic mentioned its a laptop, i assume its gonna be more of a daily use (if not 24/7) computer. hence i guess speed/frustration/response time will be a major issue

Microsoft recommends 733Mhz/256MB for Win2k3.

and then there is always the question of what u wanna do with the box ... but yeah, the more RAM the better i guess

Unless you are setting up a network, Windows 2003 is overkill. I'd stick with XP.

[ArcticFox]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of the similarities between XP and Win2k3. The only server duties this laptop performs would be as a dedicated Counter-Strike server on LAN's, not online.

So basically, their isn't much point in using 2003 instead of XP? I'd like to keep 2000 on here just because it's fast, reliable, and just doesn't crash on me. Very slow though, only 128mb RAM makes for long waits.

Yeah. that's a good decision. My boys play Counterstrike (new version 1.6 is out) on XP Pro without a problem

Server 2003 is also very expensive. Upwards of $1,800 I think.

I'd spring for some RAM, though. 512MB is the minimum if your MB can support it. Set you back $30 if you look for deals. 128 was OK upto windows 98se.