Headless Windows

[FatMan42]

I'm going to be setting up a LAN fileserver soon (Gigabyte GA-6BXD dual slot-1, 2*P2-333's or better) and looking for advice. Ideally I'd like this system to only have power and a network cable running into it. Can I run the system without monitor, keyboard and mouse attached? I can leave a video card installed if necessary. I'm planning on administering it with VNC. I'm assuming it's going to run something NT-based, that's fine.

Is this possible?

 

[NogginBoink]

Yes, NT will run headless. You'll have to install it with local Keyboard/Video/Mouse, tho.

Many BIOSes won't let the machine boot without a video card installed.

 

[FatMan42]

That's fine. I'll install OS/apps/whatever as a normal system - with keyboard/mouse/monitor and then once configured unplug and run headless. Leaving the gfx card in is not an issue.

-Does it matter which evolution of NT I run, and does it matter whether it's Professional/Desktop or Server?
-So, conclusion is: fine to run with only AC cord and ethernet lead?

 

[NogginBoink]

<< -Does it matter which evolution of NT I run, and does it matter whether it's Professional/Desktop or Server? >>


No. But W2K Server can be installed with Terminal Services in Remote Admin mode which could be very useful. Or WinXP Pro with Remote Desktop.


<< -So, conclusion is: fine to run with only AC cord and ethernet lead? >>


Yup.

 

[Budman]

Also go into your bios & change HALT ON ERRORS to NONE, this way when it boots with no keyboard it will not stop the boot process.

 

[FatMan42]

Update - system's working a treat... running XP Pro and 2* P3-700's, 224Mb RAM, 40Gb HD. It's quite happy running w/o keyboard/mouse/monitor. In fact - it's easier to adminster via XP's Remote Desktop feature than VNC - much smoother operation. All in all, a very pleasing machine. Thanks for the tips, guys...