Server 2008 and games

[deactivated01032015]

I've been using Server 2008 as a workstation for quite a while now but I simply can't find any solution (Googled tons of pages,...) to display Games in a start menu as in Vista.

Any ideas? Is it even possible?

[deactivated01032015]

Anyone?

[Shaun N.]

pin them to the start bar, why do you want it to display games as in Vista? although they basically are the same thing with a few services enabled/disabled

[Rigby]

I think he may be talking about the Games Explorer, which as far as I know isn't included in Server 2008.

[ethereal]

There are no games loaded in Server 2008...not even Solitaire. That is why there is no games folder in the Start Menu.

I've been using Server 2008 as a workstation for quite a while now but I simply can't find any solution (Googled tons of pages,...) to display Games in a start menu as in Vista.

Any ideas? Is it even possible?

[Popcorned]

Why do you use Server 2008 as a Workstation?

[ethereal]

Why do you use Server 2008 as a Workstation?

It is substantianally better than Vista at performance when configured as a workstation.

[ToneKnee]

It is substantianally better than Vista at performance when configured as a workstation.

Incorrect.

While this was true with Windows 2003, it certainly isn't true with Windows 2008. The reason being is that Windows 2003 and XP were using different kernels, especially Windows 2003 with a newer kernel. Microsoft decided not to make two seperate kernels for this release of Windows (Vista\2008) but to both use the same kernel. So while you may think Windows 2008 is "faster", it is only because of the service configuration is different (2008 using less services). Now turn on all those services to the same standard as Vista and you'll have the exact (near enough) same configuration/speed.

Don't be fooled, I thought the same when Windows 2008 was released that it would be "faster" but it really isn't. It was exactly the same. I even used the in-built windows performance tools and they showed nearly the same figure between the two operating systems.

[ethereal]

Incorrect.

While this was true with Windows 2003, it certainly isn't true with Windows 2008. The reason being is that Windows 2003 and XP were using different kernels, especially Windows 2003 with a newer kernel. Microsoft decided not to make two seperate kernels for this release of Windows (Vista\2008) but to both use the same kernel. So while you may think Windows 2008 is "faster", it is only because of the service configuration is different (2008 using less services). Now turn on all those services to the same standard as Vista and you'll have the exact (near enough) same configuration/speed.

Don't be fooled, I thought the same when Windows 2008 was released that it would be "faster" but it really isn't. It was exactly the same. I even used the in-built windows performance tools and they showed nearly the same figure between the two operating systems.

I tested it out as well using the built-in performance tools and got about a 30% increase in performance over Vista Ultimate. Granted I have services turned off that Vista Ultimate has on by default, and also am not using the Areo interface in Server 2008.

[Rigby]

True, Vista and Server 2008 share the exact same kernel, they are the same OS. You can configure Vista to be just as fast as Server 2008 and if you still think there's a difference it's all in your mind.

[-Vivicidal-]

True, Vista and Server 2008 share the exact same kernel, they are the same OS. You can configure Vista to be just as fast as Server 2008 and if you still think there's a difference it's all in your mind.

How?

[ethereal]

True, Vista and Server 2008 share the exact same kernel, they are the same OS. You can configure Vista to be just as fast as Server 2008 and if you still think there's a difference it's all in your mind.

Several reasons why Server 2008 is faster than Vista is there is no DRM in Server 2008. Also Indexing, Search as well as Superfetch are not enabled in Server 2008. I'm not sure how tough it is to remove the DRM controls in Vista.

Edited August 29, 2008 by ethereal

[_BeanZ_]

Several reasons why Server 2008 is faster than Vista is there is no DRM in Server 2008.

Please tell me (with evidence/proof) precisely what DRM there is in Vista that slows down everyday use... Oh wait, there isn't any; it's just FUD ;)

[Brian M. Veteran]

Several reasons why Server 2008 is faster than Vista is there is no DRM in Server 2008. Also Indexing, Search as well as Superfetch are not enabled in Server 2008. I'm not sure how tough it is to remove the DRM controls in Vista.

Indexing, Searching and Superfetch can be disabled in about 30 seconds :s.

[Linkinfamous]

I tested it out as well using the built-in performance tools and got about a 30% increase in performance over Vista Ultimate. Granted I have services turned off that Vista Ultimate has on by default, and also am not using the Areo interface in Server 2008.

Then you didn't configure them the same.

As has been pointed out, if you configure Server 2008 and Vista to run the same services/settings/etc., you will see virtually no difference between them.

Also, while disabling something like Superfetch MIGHT help out certain benchmarks, your real-world performance will decrease with it shut off.

[The_Observer]

i found that using server 08 on my old machine, was a lot better then using vista! i dont know all the facts about vista and server 08 but for me, server 08 is a far better o/s than vista!.

[deactivated01032015]

Same here, that's why I've been asking about the Games Explorer.

Few months ago when I was testing Vista Business it got slower and slower with every day of use regardless of careful use and performance maintenance. Now on Server everything run smoothly out of the box.

[Grope for Luna]

Incorrect.

While this was true with Windows 2003, it certainly isn't true with Windows 2008. The reason being is that Windows 2003 and XP were using different kernels, especially Windows 2003 with a newer kernel. Microsoft decided not to make two seperate kernels for this release of Windows (Vista\2008) but to both use the same kernel.

Actually, the kernels are different. I forget who (Steven Sinofsky maybe) but one of the head guys on the MS team recently made reference to 2008 Server being an evolution of the Vista kernel. It's a moot point anyway, because there are other components besides the kernel that contribute to better performance.

I tested it out as well using the built-in performance tools and got about a 30% increase in performance over Vista Ultimate.

Now that's just ridiculous. :rolleyes: I get better benchmark results on 2008 server (3rd party tools) but the average is only a few % overall. Using the x64 version of either OS will give you more improvement.

Few months ago when I was testing Vista Business it got slower and slower with every day of use regardless of careful use and performance maintenance. Now on Server everything run smoothly out of the box.

That's because it's "out of the box". :rolleyes:

If you're looking for the Games Explorer, try this program.

http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpres...tion-converter/

[deactivated01032015]

That's because it's "out of the box". :rolleyes:

If you're looking for the Games Explorer, try this program.

http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpres...tion-converter/

What this program does is basically the same what I've done manually. And gameux.dll doesn't bring up the Games Explorer, it just makes some games to be able to play and install.

Anyway, thanks for the reply.

[devHead]

Incorrect.

While this was true with Windows 2003, it certainly isn't true with Windows 2008. The reason being is that Windows 2003 and XP were using different kernels, especially Windows 2003 with a newer kernel. Microsoft decided not to make two seperate kernels for this release of Windows (Vista\2008) but to both use the same kernel. So while you may think Windows 2008 is "faster", it is only because of the service configuration is different (2008 using less services). Now turn on all those services to the same standard as Vista and you'll have the exact (near enough) same configuration/speed.

Don't be fooled, I thought the same when Windows 2008 was released that it would be "faster" but it really isn't. It was exactly the same. I even used the in-built windows performance tools and they showed nearly the same figure between the two operating systems.

I'm sorry, I have to disagree on that count. I've used both Vista Business x64 and x86 and Server Standard x64 and x86, I can tell you that Server still is a faster machine than Vista. You're right, it's likely primarily due to the services that automatically run in Vista and not in Server, but with SQL Server and IIS7 running on Windows Server Standard, it performs better than Vista Business with those same services installed.

Plus, with Server 08, you don't have to deal with Windows Explorer trying to 'guess' how to display items in a folder based on the content in it. Every folder has the exact same view (File Name, Type, Size, Last Modified, Tags) for every folder. I've gone half out of my mind trying to keep the 'Program Files' folder for example from thinking that it's filled with pictures or videos, and it always reverted back to that as the default view. No such headaches in Server 08.

So, for me it's better. You can slap down $250 for a year long Technet Plus Subscription and use Server 08 as your primary OS. (Of course, where I live, I use it also as a Server, and for that, you can't beat it!!)

[deactivated01032015]

So, for me it's better. You can slap down $250 for a year long Technet Plus Subscription and use Server 08 as your primary OS. (Of course, where I live, I use it also as a Server, and for that, you can't beat it!!)

And I luckily have a MSDNAA license :).

[+BudMan MVC]

You can slap down $250 for a year long Technet Plus Subscription and use Server 08 as your primary OS. (Of course, where I live, I use it also as a Server, and for that, you can't beat it!!)

And in doing so they would be in violation of the Technet EULA the whole time.

You can not legally do what your suggesting. So what your suggesting to people is theft, might as well just suggest they warez it.

The EULA and the FAQ clearly state

"Keep in mind that you may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating environment,"

I'm sorry but how your using it is in direct violation of the EULA on its use.

What is TechNet Plus?

TechNet Plus is a subscription program designed to help IT Professionals prepare for critical issues and plan for future deployments by providing them with fast and convenient access to the latest software for evaluation without time or feature limits; beta releases; Professional Support incidents; and other technical information and tools to get their jobs done faster

It is not meant for billy bob user to slap down $250 so he can use 2k8 server as his workstation and home and play freaking games on, read email, etc.

edit: And neither is the MSDNAA program..

[devHead]

And in doing so they would be in violation of the Technet EULA the whole time.

You can not legally do what your suggesting. So what your suggesting to people is theft, might as well just suggest they warez it.

The EULA and the FAQ clearly state

"Keep in mind that you may use the evaluation software only to evaluate it. You may not use it in a live operating environment,"

I'm sorry but how your using it is in direct violation of the EULA on its use.

What is TechNet Plus?

TechNet Plus is a subscription program designed to help IT Professionals prepare for critical issues and plan for future deployments by providing them with fast and convenient access to the latest software for evaluation without time or feature limits; beta releases; Professional Support incidents; and other technical information and tools to get their jobs done faster

It is not meant for billy bob user to slap down $250 so he can use 2k8 server as his workstation and home and play freaking games on, read email, etc.

edit: And neither is the MSDNAA program..

Please don't compare how I use my Technet media with warez. I don't share it with anyone. And I'm not Billy Bob User either. And I don't play games on it. Heck, I quit school because of recess.

Edited September 12, 2008 by devHead

[Japlabot]

I would like to extend my "Windows 2003 is not a workstation" alliance membership to also include a membership with the "Windows 2008 is not a workstation" alliance too please.

Edited September 12, 2008 by Quick Reply

[+BudMan MVC]

I don't share it with anyone.

And WTF does that have to do with your violation of the EULA? Just because you paid $250 does not mean you can legally use it how ever you want.

The cost of these subscriptions are priced how they are, because they only allow for SPECIFIC use of the software.. When you use the software outside of that -- then you are in violation of the user agreement pain and simple -- ie pirated, ie warez. Suggesting to others that they can do so as well is just plain WRONG!

Your use as you have stated is clearly in violation of said EULA.. It is clearly stated that you can not use the technet plus as your "primary" OS. ie "You may not use it in a live operating environment"

You stated your using it as your "primary" OS which to even the most mentally challenged individual would clearly be a "live operating environment" ---- PERIOD! Be it you read email, read up on the latest news on neowin, play games, whatever.

If you want to use it as your primary OS --- sure go ahead.. Buy a license that allows you to do so -- be it OEM, Retail, etc. but the MSDN and Technet subscriptions are not meant as a way to get a copy of Server to use as your primary OS.

If you abide by the OEM license you can get it for like $650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16832116371

If you want to pay that for your "workstation" OS -- more power too you. Or you could always fork over the full retail price for it. And then Have Fun doing whatever you want, be it serve up files or play spore.

http://www.provantage.com/microsoft-p73-03883~7MCSB0JP.htm

To be frankly honest, I could give a rats ass what you do -- thats between you and your own ethics -- but please do not go around promoting for people to violate any EULAs