Got accepted as a beta tester for M$

[Gamingphreek]

Ok i applied and got accepted to test Microsoft Server 2003 R2 as well as one other software so far. I have my primary system right now (see my sig).

To accurately test this OS and what not im going to need another system (im already dual booting with linux).

I would like to keep the cost within reason so no server motherboards with dual opteron processors... sorry

What im thinking of doing is moving my system upgrade ahead a bit and getting a new primary system while retiring this system as a beta test system. So i need some help configuring all of this.

Just on a side note, does anyone know of any case that holds 2 motherboards, price isn't a big concern there but quietness is as it is in my bedroom.

-Kevin

 

[gsellis]

We were laughing about the code name, R2B2Beta. Our last SP1 OS build was code named... R2B2.

You need lots of drive space! That way you can test the other beta that is coming out for backup of your R2B2.

A case for 2 mobos? The cabling alone would be too much fun. I am clueless on that front. Maybe this is your time for a new Shuttle? Gets rid of the real estate and they have some nice Intel and AMD flavors.

Otherwise on the cost side, ASUS dual Xeon boards are reasonable (see sig - and the only reason I could build Intel speed for speed against Opterons for cheaper). Both a nForce4 dual Opteron and ASUS NCT-D (775 Xeon) are around 330 at Monarch. The PC-DL 604 Xeon board is under $200, but 533 FSB (what I use for video editing/animation).

 

[Gamingphreek]

Not sure if it was a wise idea to give the ID in but hell oh well.

At any rate, i guess 1 case with 2 motherboards wont work.

In that case what kind of system should i configure for this. Im thinking to accurately test this OS and everything else, a RAID setup would be optimal. That would mean i have to get a new motherboard.

I am a Junior in High School with a job, so i have money but i cannot go spending 100$ on a dual Xeon or Opteron system. Additionally i have to keep the room sem-quiet.

Im thinking my best bet would be to hold off on the testing until the summer (so no school interference) and also move my current system to beta test system (it has raid support) and get my new system then.

Or do you think companies would sponsor this and possibly donate parts for the beta system which would be awesome.

-Kevin

 

[Czar]

get two shuttles and tape them together, you got a good midi tower there

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Czar
get two shuttles and tape them together, you got a good midi tower there

But would you use Silver or Black duct tape?

GPh - darn, I just do not know of any places that will do that with loaner gear (unless they will sell you lots of it soon). The only other thing I could think of was trying to find an internship at a MS partner.

Edit - codenames are usually not NDA. Paul Thurott has already talked about it in a MS interview.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: Czar
get two shuttles and tape them together, you got a good midi tower there

But would you use Silver or Black duct tape?

GPh - darn, I just do not know of any places that will do that with loaner gear (unless they will sell you lots of it soon). The only other thing I could think of was trying to find an internship at a MS partner.

Edit - codenames are usually not NDA. Paul Thurott has already talked about it in a MS interview.

I wish i could get an internship at a M$ partner or something computer related. Im stuck cashiering/supervising at a retail store.

Well, at any rate, can someone suggest a system for this.

-Kevin

 

[Megatomic]

I've been invited into half a dozen betas over the past few months, and many since I got into the program back in 1998. I've declined half of them as I don't have a server at home to test on.

I can't wait for my Longhorn invite to come. I will participate in that one. :heart:

 

[Gamingphreek]

That would be nice to test that . I would think ill have to do a couple other beta tests before a project of that significance though.

-Kevin

 

[Megatomic]

I've done beta testing for several OSes and just about all the SPs that have been released since I got in. My very first invite was for WinMe.

Scratch that, it was 98SE. I remember liking WinMe better though.

 

[Gamingphreek]

So what kind of system should i use for this. Am i correct in assuming that configuring a RAID setup would be best for testing purposes. If i dont need raid or something, i could cut my costs immensely by using the free after rebate Soyo board from newegg with an old 1.6ghz Williamette P4.

-Kevin

 

[Zepper]

Be careful not to get your nose so far up Billy G's butt that you can't see the t..d for the butt cheeks...

.bh.

:moon:

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Who or what is "M$"? Is that the OS that all the Magic-card-trading, unshowered, unshaven kids who live in their parents basement in Wyoming use?

- M4H

 

[teutonicknight]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
....but i cannot go spending 100$ on a dual Xeon or Opteron system.

Dual opteron? 100 dollars? I'd take that.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: teutonicknight

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
....but i cannot go spending 100$ on a dual Xeon or Opteron system.

Dual opteron? 100 dollars? I'd take that.

Sorry meant 1000.

 

[ND40oz]

I'm using a dell gx270 to test it, seems to be doing ok so far, I'm about to put data protector 2006 beta on it if I can ever get it downloaded. Keep getting download errors with the transfer agent.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: ND40oz
I'm using a dell gx270 to test it, seems to be doing ok so far, I'm about to put data protector 2006 beta on it if I can ever get it downloaded. Keep getting download errors with the transfer agent.

Im going to be testing that as well.

Do you think MS will get pissed or boot me from that test if i wait to report on anything until around june/july. They said testing will go until Q4 2004 so it shouldn't.

-Kevin