Server 2003 and Desktop board install

[saixbot]

Hi Everyone

I recall a few years back it was possible to install Win Server 2003 on some of the manufacturers desktop boards which was a great cost effective solution to get a server without having to buy a Xeon class box. Is it true that manufacturers cottoned on to this and no longer offer (backdoor) support for this type of practice?

Many thanks,

 

[Bar0n]

Hi Everyone

I recall a few years back it was possible to install Win Server 2003 on some of the manufacturers desktop boards which was a great cost effective solution to get a server without having to buy a Xeon class box. Is it true that manufacturers cottoned on to this and no longer offer (backdoor) support for this type of practice?

Many thanks,

I'm not sure if I fully understand what you're asking, but I can tell you I have Server 2008 installed on an old-ish dual core Pentium and I've had Server 2012 installed on an AMD Phenom. So you don't need a Xeon class box to run Windows Server.

 

[saixbot]

Great to hear 2008 may work thanks, will give it a whirl.

I tried installing Server 2003 on a standard MSI H61 S1155 desktop motherboard - it installed fine but fell over when trying to install device drivers, both 32 and 64 bit did not work and the manufacturers do not make drivers available if its classified "Desktop".

I suppose 2008 may work because it's built on the same platform as Win7, or vice versa, meaning the standard drivers should work right?

 

[Bar0n]

I'm not sure about the drivers, sorry. Maybe one of the other forum members can help you out with this. I know 2008 installed fine and ran fine on some of my old PCs without even needing drivers.