Win 2k8 as a workstation?

[SBeaver]

As a developer who also likes to play games, would you guys recommend a dual-boot between 2008 and Vista, or are most games that are compatible with Vista compatible with 2008? Are there any issues/regrets with using 2008 over Vista as a workstation OS? Driver support/application compatibility/etc?

The only application compatibillity issues compared to Vista is when an app was written specificly to to reject installation on a server OS or to run on a server OS.

Sometimes they have an expensive alternate version that they call enterprise/server, and sometimes you can edit installation files or run in compatibillity mode to fool it into thinking it's running Vista.

Other than that you should be OK.

[Cyber Nemesis]

I had been using RC as workstation with great success. I don't game much and had no problems with any apps I used.

I do like to watch movie on my TV off my laptop, 2008 proved difficult for me in dual monitors and projector configuration. Although I suspect it had more to do with the nvidia drivers than 2008.

Be sure to add the wi-fi and telnet features!

[ATT-Halfgimp]

does this hyper-v allow guess OS to see real GPU

could it install XP and play games under it or just the same crappy gpu all virtual mahines/box/workstation have ?

"Virtual Devices can also take advantage of a Windows Server Virtualization feature, named Enlightened I/O, for storage, networking and graphics subsystems, among others. Enlightened I/O is specialized virtualization-aware implementation of high level communication protocols like SCSI to take advantage of VMBus directly, bypassing any device emulation layer. This makes the communication more efficient but requires the guest OS to support Enlightened I/O."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper-V

is that a yes or no or a sometimes/maybe

[Glowstick]

Think of Vista SP1 like this: They brought the Server '08 and Vista code branches back together, so in a LOT of cases, the code you're running on Vista SP1 will be exactly the same as with Server '08.

In a lot of cases?

In every goddamn case.

Jesus Christ, you guys should finally stop pretending client and server are different things.

does this hyper-v allow guess OS to see real GPU

Only if the graphics driver is "enlightened", in both dom0 and domU.

Which I doubt will ever happen. That idiotic VMBus is only something you're going to see used with Windows-on-Windows virtualization.

a) There's no point to run GPU intensive applications in a virtualized system if your host is on par, and probably the same OS.

b) There'll be no market for jokes like this, so I doubt you'll see graphics drivers enabling this scenario.

[redmanmark86]

Well i just installed server 2008 standard (full installation) (didnt know the difference between that and server core) it over my Vista Ultimate 64bit and my god i can't believe the improved speed, it truly is rediculous... from start up time to instant shut downs to hitting ie and it starting in about a second... everything was quite slow and unresponsive sometimes with vista SP1 but Server 2008 puts it to shame... and i did stream line ym services with vista...

however i sitll think vista is better than XP and would never go back to XP...

my only problem im having now is i can't find an anti virus for 2008 server, anyone care to give me hand cuz my kaspersky home don't work so there is 16 pounds wasted...

other than that, everything works a treat :)

[SBeaver]

Well i just installed server 2008 standard (full installation) (didnt know the difference between that and server core) it over my Vista Ultimate 64bit and my god i can't believe the improved speed, it truly is rediculous... from start up time to instant shut downs to hitting ie and it starting in about a second... everything was quite slow and unresponsive sometimes with vista SP1 but Server 2008 puts it to shame... and i did stream line ym services with vista...

however i sitll think vista is better than XP and would never go back to XP...

my only problem im having now is i can't find an anti virus for 2008 server, anyone care to give me hand cuz my kaspersky home don't work so there is 16 pounds wasted...

other than that, everything works a treat :)

NOD32 Business edition, I think there is a trial version, the rest you can figure out for yourself, it's probably expensive to buy

edit: turns out I can't even buy the business edition from my country because eset redirects me to a purchase list that expludes business edition, does that give me the moral right to pirate this? Sure a phonecall might solve it but that costs time and money that I need to afford the software in the first place.

I'll keep the trial for the time being

Edited February 17, 2008 by SBeaver

[redmanmark86]

could you forward me the trial cuz in my country it wont let me download the trial without registering and being verified as a real business...

email is redmanmark86 at gmail dot com

[Linkinfamous]

In a lot of cases?

In every goddamn case.

Jesus Christ, you guys should finally stop pretending client and server are different things.

I didn't want to say 'every' case, because while the OS itself is the same in every way (barring any features turned off by the fact that it was installed as a Server), some of the client stuff might be different. Like, Vista might not come with all the same managment tools.

(Plus it's obviously going to be configured very differently out of the box)

Edited February 17, 2008 by MioTheGreat

[Joe User]

I didn't want to say 'every' case, because while the OS itself is the same in every way (barring any features turned off by the fact that it was installed as a Server), some of the client stuff might be different. Like, Vista might not come with all the same managment tools.

(Plus it's obviously going to be configured very differently out of the box)

But if you're smart enough to be running a server os as a workstation, none of that should be an issue anyway.

[Scorbing]

Why do people insist on using Server OS as a workstation? It is called a "server" for a reason. You can't do the things you can do with Vista or XP on a server OS. There will always be limitations as far as software or drivers. Stick with Vista or XP, tweak it to the max and you will get better results.

[Izlude]

If you're running some nice hardware you won't feel the difference, but if you're still on old stuff, yeah, threading makes the difference. So 2k8 with less services running will feel smoother to those users on old P4 AthlonXP hardware. It's all about threads my friends... the less running, the more available, the better the feeling...

I just made that whole thing up, none of it is true.

[Scorbing]

I just feel that MS should improve Vista, add things to it and make it better instead of making another Windows version. They are driving the consumer insane with so many Windows versions. People don't know what to buy anymore. I am personally tired of it. Just improve Vista, make it work like it was meant to work and forget about another OS version.

[FATILA]

Anyone know a way to get sharing working on WMP11?

[Linkinfamous]

I just feel that MS should improve Vista, add things to it and make it better instead of making another Windows version. They are driving the consumer insane with so many Windows versions. People don't know what to buy anymore. I am personally tired of it. Just improve Vista, make it work like it was meant to work and forget about another OS version.

What other OS version? For all intents and purposes, Server 2008 IS Vista. It's just configured differently out of the box, and has server features like AD, RRAS, DNS, etc.

Edited February 19, 2008 by MioTheGreat

[kingroach]

anyone know how to login autometically without requiring a password when I log in.. I plan to install this in my laptop and theres no need for password in login since I will be only one to be using it.

[Joe User]

anyone know how to login autometically without requiring a password when I log in.. I plan to install this in my laptop and theres no need for password in login since I will be only one to be using it.

Try running

control userpasswords2

There should be a checkbox in there.

[fishrman]

To be precise, in the control userpasswords dialog, uncheck "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer". Then, in the "Advanced" tab, uncheck "Require users to press Ctrl + Alt + Delete". Now click OK, and a dialog like this'll pop-up:

There you go.

[toadeater]

If you check out TheHotfix.net's forums, you'll see that people have pared down Vista's services to match 2008's running services and they are still getting upwards of 20FPS improvements in games like F.E.A.R.

Yeah, I always believe claims like that when I read them in forums. Excuse me, I'm going to go jump off a cliff.

[anarkhy]

Yeah, I always believe claims like that when I read them in forums. Excuse me, I'm going to go jump off a cliff.

Why dont you try running w2k8 in your desktop to see the difference? Looks you simple want to believe people are wrong and vista and 2k8 has the same performance.

Like 2k3 is much better than xp, but people still keep their eyes closed trolling xp is the same thing. Its not.

[Tripps]

Why do people insist on using Server OS as a workstation? It is called a "server" for a reason. You can't do the things you can do with Vista or XP on a server OS. There will always be limitations as far as software or drivers. Stick with Vista or XP, tweak it to the max and you will get better results.

A simple reason is one I am going to provide. I work as a network admin and I love Vista. However, Vista seems to be lacking something I find pretty important. Administrative Tools for AD Domains. Yes, you can work around to get the 2003 R2 adminpak.msi working, but it really is lacking as well as not future proof (since MS has not given us RSAT). I can rectify this by running Server 2008 as a Workstation OS (completely), not a gaming machine. I'd use Vista for that. But there are reasons people would want to do that.

[Joe User]

Why dont you try running w2k8 in your desktop to see the difference? Looks you simple want to believe people are wrong and vista and 2k8 has the same performance.

Like 2k3 is much better than xp, but people still keep their eyes closed trolling xp is the same thing. Its not.

I'm using it on my test box. Yes, 2008 is more responsive. No, it's not faster.

Windows 2008 gets you to the desktop faster, it has a faster feel compared to Vista. Once you really start doing everyday tasks (not simulating them, actually doing them, and not just once, try a week's worth of moderate usage), you find out what's missing in 2008.

Searches are slower, programs don't load as fast as Vista, and I miss my eye-candy too (I gave up Windows 2000). Sure, I could configure my 2008 server to be an almost-Vista, but why? I use the features in Vista, I don't want to create extra headaches for myself.

[redmanmark86]

I'm using it on my test box. Yes, 2008 is more responsive. No, it's not faster.

Windows 2008 gets you to the desktop faster, it has a faster feel compared to Vista. Once you really start doing everyday tasks (not simulating them, actually doing them, and not just once, try a week's worth of moderate usage), you find out what's missing in 2008.

Searches are slower, programs don't load as fast as Vista, and I miss my eye-candy too (I gave up Windows 2000). Sure, I could configure my 2008 server to be an almost-Vista, but why? I use the features in Vista, I don't want to create extra headaches for myself.

i'd say it shut downs and starts up faster and i been using for about a week now and the only time i noticed any impact on speed was when i installed my anti virus but nothing major...

in terms of programs i dunno if i cna agree with you, for me internet explorer, windows media player, altbinz, emule (though seems to have a memory leak), office, nerolite and pretty much every program i have installed works a lot faster on server 2008 and its generally a dam lot more responsive with all the ey candy turned on... personally it looks and feels just like vista to me, i haven't noticed a difference between the two apart from one being more responsive than the other...

but like everyone says thats due to it having a lot less services running... (saying that i currently have 60 processes running and my average on vista was 67)

[Skyfrog]

I'm using it on my test box. Yes, 2008 is more responsive. No, it's not faster.

Yes, the sky is blue. No, it's not blue. :rolleyes:

Searches are slower, programs don't load as fast as Vista, and I miss my eye-candy too (I gave up Windows 2000).

Nonsense, just turn prefetch on and set priority to applications instead of services. Personally not having all the Media Center junk, search feature, etc is a huge reason to install Server instead of Vista. I don't think I have ever used the search function, it's really not that hard to keep files organized. As others have pointed out there are also many features Server has that Vista doesn't such as Hyper-V.

Now if you want all the useless eye candy and consumer "features" then yeah, I'd say Vista is for you. If other people want to use Server as their workstation let them. I don't see why people have to fly into a hissy fit about it; it's really none of their concern.

[Joe User]

Yes, the sky is blue. No, it's not blue. :rolleyes:

Nonsense, just turn prefetch on and set priority to applications instead of services. Personally not having all the Media Center junk, search feature, etc is a huge reason to install Server instead of Vista. I don't think I have ever used the search function, it's really not that hard to keep files organized. As others have pointed out there are also many features Server has that Vista doesn't such as Hyper-V.

Now if you want all the useless eye candy and consumer "features" then yeah, I'd say Vista is for you. If other people want to use Server as their workstation let them. I don't see why people have to fly into a hissy fit about it; it's really none of their concern.

Responsiveness is not speed. I can respond really quickly to your request, then spend all afternoon completing it.

And I'm not saying don't use server as a workstation, I'm pointing out that by the time you've turned on all the features that are off, you're going to wind up with the same feature set as Vista, but you'll have spent $900 and wasted more time. The average user (or power user) doesn't need Hyper-V at the moment, nor any of the other features in server.

Developers are another story, and should use the best tool for the job.

[Churma]

Well I have been using it for a week and must say its much quicker then my XP with sp3, and Vista Ultimate. So I am sticking with windows server 2008 for my workstation. It might be different for different hardware setups but hey I'm finally happy with my rig. As for speed here is a link over at kez news.

http://keznews.com/3771_Windows_Server_200...ows_Server_2003