Going from Windows XP Pro to Windows Server 2003

DJ-phYre · April 2nd, 2004

OK... last summer I built a PC to be a second gaming machine. It turned out I have never installed one game on it, it just houses my 3 HDDs. So I have decided to put Windows Server 2003 on it. I will be running a clean install after a fresh format. The computer has a nForce2 Motherboard with a 2200+ on it. It also has a GeForce MX 4600. What I wanted to know was if the 2003 Server is like its predecessors. These machines had some MAJOR driver issues. Will all XP/2000 drivers generally work on this machine running 2003 Server?

I just need to make sure before I go and install this OS!

Thanks!

dick471 · April 2nd, 2004

Be careful. A lot of programs won't install in Server 2003 because of drivers. Roxio is an example. Acronis True Image won't work, and many others. Plus: There is reason in the world to go with W2003 Server-------PERIOD.

**ming** · April 2nd, 2004

Manufacturers aren't getting their backsides into shape to help solve the problem as quickly and as efficiently as they should be. However, who'd expect anyone to use a Windows Server OS for general use?

You'd have to check with the manufacturers to see if they have the latest drivers/updates to support Windows Server 2003 before you install it on your machine.

**Lee** · April 2nd, 2004

Don't know why you would leave xp pro till you are quite sure every manufacturer and software developer has made the jump. Wait a couple of years.

DJ-phYre · April 3rd, 2004

I would go with a Linux based OS... but I have 3 HDDs that are NTFS.. and I have no where to copy the files to to enable me to format them to a different file system.

blinden · April 3rd, 2004

... and whats wrong with 2k?

Yharn · April 3rd, 2004

currently running an ftp, ssh, and web server on win2k, tried win2k3 server but it didn't like some of the drivers. Win2k is doing just fine.

napalmnthemorning · April 3rd, 2004

I've also contemplated using 2003 server but I've seen too much negative feedback regarding software compatability and the driver issue. Also seems to be allot of confusion since it wasn't intended as a desktop OS. So for now it just sits in my drawer. Its taken three years for XP to get tweaked to the point of being recognized as an excellent OS and very compatable with most software. XP's big problem was waiting for all the hardware companies to put out XP compatable drivers. I remember the critics were lined up taking shots at XP after it first came out, talking about their beloved 98/98e OS., Hey where did those critics go anyway..

By the time Windows Server 2003 gets all sorted out Longhorn will be out!

Majin · April 3rd, 2004

been there done that......if only the 2003 in windows 2003 meant how many problems it had idv been happy.

**Bootsy** · April 5th, 2004

Originally Posted by Majin

been there done that......if only the 2003 in windows 2003 meant how many problems it had idv been happy.

lol, I think there's probably more. Seriously, Phyre, you dont need 2003 server for home use. That OS is meant for corporate application. Just go with good olde 2000, or use linux if all u wanna do with it is serve.

April 2nd, 2004	Top \| #1
DJ-phYre To whom it may concern Joined: June 2002 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 135 Reputation: 0 Power: 122	Going from Windows XP Pro to Windows Server 2003 OK... last summer I built a PC to be a second gaming machine. It turned out I have never installed one game on it, it just houses my 3 HDDs. So I have decided to put Windows Server 2003 on it. I will be running a clean install after a fresh format. The computer has a nForce2 Motherboard with a 2200+ on it. It also has a GeForce MX 4600. What I wanted to know was if the 2003 Server is like its predecessors. These machines had some MAJOR driver issues. Will all XP/2000 drivers generally work on this machine running 2003 Server? I just need to make sure before I go and install this OS! Thanks!

April 2nd, 2004	Top \| #3
ming OSNN Advanced Joined: June 2003 Location: UK Posts: 4,252 Reputation: 1160 Power: 162	Manufacturers aren't getting their backsides into shape to help solve the problem as quickly and as efficiently as they should be. However, who'd expect anyone to use a Windows Server OS for general use? You'd have to check with the manufacturers to see if they have the latest drivers/updates to support Windows Server 2003 before you install it on your machine. Curent system: Intel Quad Core 9450 \| 4GB RAM \| WD Raptor 36GB \| nVidia 8800GT 512mb

April 3rd, 2004	Top \| #7
Yharn meh. Joined: June 2002 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 324 Reputation: 30 Power: 124	currently running an ftp, ssh, and web server on win2k, tried win2k3 server but it didn't like some of the drivers. Win2k is doing just fine. Little Us

April 5th, 2004	Top \| #10
Bootsy Huh? Joined: February 2004 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 1,124 Reputation: 50 Power: 112	Originally Posted by Majin been there done that......if only the 2003 in windows 2003 meant how many problems it had idv been happy. lol, I think there's probably more. Seriously, Phyre, you dont need 2003 server for home use. That OS is meant for corporate application. Just go with good olde 2000, or use linux if all u wanna do with it is serve.

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April 2nd, 2004	Top \| #2
dick471 OSNN Junior Addict Joined: September 2002 Posts: 47 Reputation: 10 Power: 119	Be careful. A lot of programs won't install in Server 2003 because of drivers. Roxio is an example. Acronis True Image won't work, and many others. Plus: There is reason in the world to go with W2003 Server-------PERIOD.

April 2nd, 2004	Top \| #4
Lee OSNN Proxy Joined: January 2004 Location: Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, England. Posts: 3,330 Reputation: 1020 Power: 145	Don't know why you would leave xp pro till you are quite sure every manufacturer and software developer has made the jump. Wait a couple of years.

April 3rd, 2004	Top \| #5
DJ-phYre To whom it may concern Joined: June 2002 Location: Monroe, LA Posts: 135 Reputation: 0 Power: 122	I would go with a Linux based OS... but I have 3 HDDs that are NTFS.. and I have no where to copy the files to to enable me to format them to a different file system.

April 3rd, 2004	Top \| #6
blinden OSNN Senior Addict Joined: August 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa, USA Posts: 268 Reputation: 0 Power: 122	... and whats wrong with 2k?

April 3rd, 2004	Top \| #8
napalmnthemorning OSNN Senior Addict Joined: June 2002 Location: OREGON Posts: 719 Reputation: 60 Power: 128	I've also contemplated using 2003 server but I've seen too much negative feedback regarding software compatability and the driver issue. Also seems to be allot of confusion since it wasn't intended as a desktop OS. So for now it just sits in my drawer. Its taken three years for XP to get tweaked to the point of being recognized as an excellent OS and very compatable with most software. XP's big problem was waiting for all the hardware companies to put out XP compatable drivers. I remember the critics were lined up taking shots at XP after it first came out, talking about their beloved 98/98e OS., Hey where did those critics go anyway.. By the time Windows Server 2003 gets all sorted out Longhorn will be out!

April 3rd, 2004	Top \| #9
Majin DBZ - Yes its in me! Joined: July 2002 Posts: 119 Reputation: 0 Power: 122	been there done that......if only the 2003 in windows 2003 meant how many problems it had idv been happy.