Hey,
Currently I have 2 computers + Xbox + A free lan cable for friends with there PCs this is on a hub, lets say the computer that I use is named "Computer NC" and 2nd one is named "Computer FY"

Now Computer FY is a old computer set up for my grandmother, its 900Mhz, 128MB Ram, 8MB S3ProSavage 30GIg HDD planing to add a 200Gig, Windows XP Pro.

Computer NC the one that I use is XP Pro

Now Computer FY has USB DSL and is running Interenet Connection Shearing so its the host for the internet. and also I have all the HDD's sheard on it and Remote Desktop on So I can use it from Computer NC, so its prity much a file server / internet server

So I want to try out a Server OS on Computer FY eg Windows 2003 Server or somting that you think would fit the bill but my grandmother is used to XP blue theme, and desktop icons and such So Im thinking is there a way I can make the Server OS look like XP like theme it or somting or does it all ready look like XP?

Can the Server OS still run like every day apps like Microsoft Word and things?

So what would the best Server OS for Computer FY *I know 128MB or ram is very low, so ill most likey add an ather 256MB Ram stick to it*

This OS needs:
-ICS
-To be able to create a domain that Computer NC and any athere friends computers can connect to and get files
-File Shearing but I give users rights to a file I know XP Pro can do this but Im really haveing problems with it I can never get it to work. ><

I know this seems very pointless. well Im telling you... it is but I want to get the feel for a server os and learn about it and such.

Alot to take in sorry
but Thank You!

Firstly ditch the USB modem and the hub. Invest in a router. Why? A router is a switch (an intelligent hub) + a modem. It shares out the Internet to your network with out the need for a computer to be on, so no more ICS. It has security (NAT and firewalls) and they are getting very cheap now days.

Secondly, the PC specs are fine. Server 2003 Standard requires a 133MHz CPU, 128MB RAM and 1.25 to 2GB HDD space.
Server 2003 requirements

You can get a 120 day copy of Server from Microsoft. There are a lot of articles on the Internet regarding Domains and file sharing. Follow the MS Best Practice methods of setting up user accounts and sharing. It could get messy if you don't follow a system.

Finally, without using server, you can still run a workgroup. XP can handle 5 (Home) to 10 (Pro) connections at a time.
Thing to consider:
Setup an account for every user in the workgroup on every pc in the workgroup.
Create a folder on each pc and share it (try not to share whole drives).
Set permissions to those folders (both share permissions and NTFS permissions) to users that you have created.
Permissions are cumulative and inherited (ie they retain the permissions from the folder above)

Thanks for actually answering his questions. :: not ::

Server 2003 can use the same themes that Windows XP uses, but going into Services (Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services) and setting the themes service to "Automattic", clicking appy, then hitting "Start".

You can run all of the same apps in Server 2003 as you can run in XP. In fact, the new Windows XP Professional x64 edition is really Windows Server 2003 with all of the themes and stuff turned on by default

There's a great guide to tweaking Server 2003 for workstation use on MSFN: http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/

I also believe that Server 2003 has ICS. I _know_ that it has "Routing and Remote Access" which allows you to do the same NAT stuff.

Lastly, you're in a small environment, and you really shouldn't use Active Directory (and domains, etc). Keep it in workgroup mode. It's a lot simpler.

>< Sorry I don't know why but I allways say Hub when i mean to say switch, so yea im currenty using a 5 port switch.



Ok so currenty I have Computer NC with the Admin Accont "Town"
and Computer FY with the Admin Accont "Fay".

So now would I go on computer NC and make an accont named "Fay" with the same password
and do the same to Computer FY make an accont named "Town" with the same password

Then Lets say that we sheare C:/Downloads on Computer FY *Simple File Shearing Off* then I would add Town to the rights to NTFS and just Shearing rights so then when I go back on to computer NC I can connect say using a maped network drive?


Well if this works out then I most likey will


Great!, thats what I wanted

Thanks For The Info.

What are you smoking?

I suggested that he look at getting a router to cut down one part of the network management. Then I went on to show the specs for a server so that he could see the pc he intended using is ok. Next I mentioned about getting a trial copy of Server so that it stays legal (for 120 days anyway). I made some comments about file sharing and that he should follow MS's Best Practices which are very well structured. And lastly I suggested a way of sharing without using Server

I didn't answer the "server as a workstation" out of principal. So next time try read what other people write before making stupid statements!