Using windows server 2008 as a workstation - Grapjas
Using windows server 2008 as a workstation

So I finally decided to move away from XP Pro a couple of days ago.

Vista was a real contender for my next OS but quite a few people I chat to mention the performance and inability to switch off all the nice to haves that I don’t really need.

 The decision was made to go with server 2008 64-bit standard edition after speaking to a co-worker and reading up on it.

The installation went fairly smoothly and to get the standard server running is a pretty easy task.

I followed steps 1 – 8 from Ohad's Blog here to get the basic work station experience going.

Next issue was my shiny new Bluetooth mouse that I bought at Tech-Ed this year. The Bluetooth does not get installed properly but a simple work around can be found here.

Once that was done I could install the following.
-          Office 2007
-          VS2008
-          SQL2005
-          Songbird (for da tunes)
-          Firefox


I must say I’m quite enjoying it. With my machine all set up its running at about 800 – 900 megabytes of ram, not too bad.


So in 240 days when my trail expires I will let you know how the re-install goes.

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Published Wednesday, September 03, 2008 6:34 AM by Grapjas

Comments

# re: Using windows server 2008 as a workstation@ Wednesday, September 03, 2008 9:18 AM

ok so i am a little confused by this ...

firstly Vista and Server 2008 are the same code base.

secondly you go ahead and switch on all the Vista features in server, seems like a lot of effort to make server 2008 into vista when you wanted to get away from vista in the first place.

thirdly the price difference; Vista ultimate costs about $400, where server 2008 costs about $999. $600 is a big difference.

since installing service pack 1 of Vista i haven't had any hassles. i don't understand the hatred for Vista ... i think its just misunderstood! ;)

by Ryan CrawCour

# re: Using windows server 2008 as a workstation@ Wednesday, September 03, 2008 9:46 AM

I guess it depends. I run Server 2008 because I need TFS, Sharepoint etc on the machine. Plus you get Hyper-V.

by ahmeds

# re: Using windows server 2008 as a workstation@ Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:29 AM

I turned on the basic look and feel to make it at least look like a workstation.

I’m pretty sure not all the extra features that Vista starts and runs are enabled.

I was not trying to get away from Vista like I said I did consider it but I decided to move to 2008 rather.

The licensing really isn’t an issue since you can run 2008 as a fully functional trail for 240 days. That’s quite a while and I will probably format way before that is up.

From this link “www.mydigitallife.info/.../how-to-install-and-use-windows-server-2008-240-days-for-free”

“So Windows Server 2008 system can run for up to 240 days without requires to activate online or offline via phone. 240 days is almost equal to 8 months of free usage without restriction and limitation, and any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation for the maximum evaluation period of 240 days. Note that if you’re using Windows Server 2008 Evaluation DVD package, after installation it’s immediately a 120-day initial evaluation period, which the activation grace period can only be extended or rearmed once in this case.”

by Grapjas

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