SERVER 2008 Free for students

[Aarondeep]

Windows Server 2008 - Free for Students from Microsoft Microsoft has updated their "DreamSpark" offerings. If you don't know, DreamSpark is Microsoft's area for giving free software to students. Previously, DreamSpark offered Windows Server 2003 for free. However, they have recently updated that to offer Windows Server 2008. Server 2008 is slightly newer than Vista and would be acceptable as a server (obviously) or as a lighter weight gaming/ desktop platform than Vista. By default, a lot of the bloat that was in Vista is disabled by default in Server 2008. However, if you want, Server 2008 can basically be transformed into full featured Vista. So if want to install legit Windows on another machine, give this a look. All you have to do is confirm you're a student, DreamSpark also offers other free software like Visual Studio 2008 Professional and SQL Server 2008. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products.aspx"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products.aspx"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/Products.aspx">https://downloads.cha............ducts.aspx</a></a></a>

If the above link isn't working try this:<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.dreamspark.com/">https://www.dreamspark.com/</a> (edited 11/20/2008)

Ripped from SD, I tried it and got it to work and am downloading my Server 2008 copy as I speak. I'm not too sure about using this as an operating system to use as gaming or to replace Vista..
Oh and note, I did have to provide my SSN details to get verified from the JourneED site since my school wasn't listed on the initial site.

I also found this on the journeyed site which lists participating schools
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.journeyed.com/veri...rticipatingSchools.asp"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://www.journeyed.com/verify/participatingSchools.asp">https://www.journeyed.co.........ingSchools.asp</a></a>



Moved from Hot Deals
moderator allisolm

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I've been enjoying the dreamspark program for well over a year now. Just heard about this. Great new option and now I just really wish they'd allow some XP Pro or Vista Business installations!

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Gosh darnit!

Why on earth did i buy vista ultimate for $70 something bucks when i could have just downloaded this?

 

[semisonic9]

You got Vista Ultimate for $70?

Hush then.

-S

 

[FleshLight]

It is practically windows vista with a few things disabled. They can be easily enabled in the config or registry.

 

[EQTitan]

My school is on the second list but not MS list, =(

 

[RallyMaster]

I just obtained this as well and I'm itching to install it. Anyone got experience with this? I'm trying to converge all of my drivers into one large pack so I can stop keeping XP and Vista drivers for NVIDIA and ATi hardware.

 

[eggrolls]

Thanks for posting this. I've been browsing various forums on this topic. It seems that you can get multiple product keys if you create more than one hotmail account. Also, you can get the 64-bit version as a trial from MS, then change from trial to licensed once it's done installing.

 

[Jack Flash]

Originally posted by: eggrolls
Thanks for posting this. I've been browsing various forums on this topic. It seems that you can get multiple product keys if you create more than one hotmail account. Also, you can get the 64-bit version as a trial from MS, then change from trial to licensed once it's done installing.

Please explain. Will the key Microsoft generated for me work for the 64 bit version, also?

 

[eggrolls]

Originally posted by: Jack Flash
Please explain. Will the key Microsoft generated for me work for the 64 bit version, also?

From what I've read, it works with the trial version. They say you have to install the Standard edition (full installation) without entering a key. Once you finished installing, enter your product key (Control Panel > System) and activate.

Some people said they've tried it and it works, and there are others that said it doesn't.

 

[Engineer]

Just so people know, I registered my high school freshman daughter (it stated that parents could do so) and sent a copy of her schedule as verification and received my copy and key for Server 2008 today. It's not just you young punk college kids that get the free perks!

Is there a 64 bit version that isn't AMD named ?

The only one that I found was from the Hard Forums link and it seemed to be an AMD 64 extension version of Win 2008 Server Standard. Hard Forum folks state that the key works with that, FWIW.

 

[FDF12389]

Downloading, thanks OP

 

[fwei]

Originally posted by: Engineer
Just so people know, I registered my high school freshman daughter (it stated that parents could do so) and sent a copy of her schedule as verification and received my copy and key for Server 2008 today. It's not just you young punk college kids that get the free perks!

Is there a 64 bit version that isn't AMD named ?

The only one that I found was from the Hard Forums link and it seemed to be an AMD 64 extension version of Win 2008 Server Standard. Hard Forum folks state that the key works with that, FWIW.

Um. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the x64 that consumers are using based on the AMD x64?

and, yea its hit and miss with the x64 installation.

 

[ViviTheMage]

sweet.

 

[j0j081]

I got this thinking it would be fun to try but the more I read about it the more I find about it being a pain in the ass to use for gaming.

 

[eggrolls]

Seems like Server 2003 is also available. Or was there before? Just noticed it.

 

[gavane]

Originally posted by: j0j081
I got this thinking it would be fun to try but the more I read about it the more I find about it being a pain in the ass to use for gaming.

I was going to use it to replace my Vista system. Is it really that bad for games? I did some searches for it but couldn't find any resources about it.

EDIT:Nm, I found it from another post in the OS forum. Game List.

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: gavane

Originally posted by: j0j081
I got this thinking it would be fun to try but the more I read about it the more I find about it being a pain in the ass to use for gaming.

I was going to use it to replace my Vista system. Is it really that bad for games? I did some searches for it but couldn't find any resources about it.

EDIT:Nm, I found it from another post in the OS forum. Game List.

let me know how it runs if you try it. I found that list to but the main thing that bothers me is I read a lot of comments about it hitching in games. Would be nice to see some gaming benchmarks for it.

 

[VeryCharBroiled]

Thanks for the update!

I had already grabbed most everything there so I hadnt gone back for a while. 2008 server will make a nice experiment when I get the chance.

I already had stuck 2003 server on an old PIII notebook with a USB drive and its a great little low powered server

Seems like Server 2003 is also available. Or was there before? Just noticed it.

yup, been there for a while. great to toss on old systems (see above) as 2008 server wants a fairly modern system.

 

[xanis]

I'm here to confirm this works, in case anyone was wondering. I was in the same boat as the OP (school wasn't on the list) and I had to go through the verification process on the JourneED site. Downloaded and installed via VMWare Fusion on my Macbook Pro about an hour ago and it works great.

 

[RallyMaster]

Oh btw, I've gotten my Server 2008 to play BF2 and TF2. Pretty damn amazing.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: eggrolls
Thanks for posting this. I've been browsing various forums on this topic. It seems that you can get multiple product keys if you create more than one hotmail account. Also, you can get the 64-bit version as a trial from MS, then change from trial to licensed once it's done installing.

You don't need more than one Hotmail account, all you need to do is click "get key" at the bottom of the download page under the download links.

*EDIT*

Ahh, nevermind. Just checked my old Server 2003 key and it's the same as when I click get key now... I swear I got two unique keys previously. Guess I'm mistaken.

 

[Liberator21]

I jumped on this deal, and I've gotta say this is my favorite operating system to date. It's currently installed on my school laptop, and it absolutely flies. I don't know if it was all the bloat from my factory HP install of Vista, but the difference is night and day. My biggest caveat is there are no Recent Documents that show up in Word, no matter which options I select. But GREAT DEAL.

 

[Jack Flash]

Can't get my Server Manager to refresh the Features and Roles summary. Also, can't find a good (free) antivirus for this. Runs games WAY faster than XP SP3 did.

 

[magomago]

i don't get it...how do they limit it to students? I was expecting to put in my .edu email address and select my school, but it didn't ask me to do that at all