Will a touchscreen work in Server 2012?

[vbuggy]

So I'm testing some new software which runs under Server 2012, and over the last couple of days it's my first intro to the metroised server environment.

I've used Windows 8 extensively (only on touch hardware, since when I didn't it just frustrated the heck out of me), and just a day after the initial setup it's just confirmed to me that the WS2012 environment is just as frustrating when it comes to accessing commonly used features, especially at the current 'feeling my way through it / setting everything up' phase.

I'm using a Dell U2412 right now on it but I'm seriously considering buying a touch monitor for it. I'll be buying a Dell S2340T, Viewsonic TD2340, or the Acer bmidz 23" depending on what can get to me the fastest. The thing is, I'm wondering if Server 2012 even supports proper touch in the way W8 does.

Does it make sense from a functional standpoint? (forget about the money, validity of touch, etc - just whether it'll actually work in the same way as W8)

 

[corkyg]

Apparently you are trying to use a server as a stand alone computer. That is not what it is designed for. Touchscreen really is not important in that role. It would apply, however, to the workstations served by the server.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_(computing)

Win 8 is a PC OS designed for use by a person at a computer. Touchscreen has a purpose.

 

[Chiropteran]

Yes, a touchscreen will working for WS 2012 the same as it does for Windows 8, corkyg's answer notwithstanding.

 

[corkyg]

And I agree - yes it should work just fine.

 

[vbuggy]

Apparently you are trying to use a server as a stand alone computer.

Yes. It currently stands alone on a desk.

Thanks Chiropteran.

 

[vbuggy]

Follow-up question: Does a rackmount Windows 8 compliant touchscreen exist?

PS: Touchscreen worked. Windows Server 2012 GUI environment is FANTASTIC with touch. Which is extremely dumb for all sorts of reasons.

 

[arsta]

@vbuggy are you using WS 2012 on a laptop or a touchscreen external monitor? Just wondering how it'd look on a laptop, or in VirtualBox.

 

[vbuggy]

@vbuggy are you using WS 2012 on a laptop or a touchscreen external monitor? Just wondering how it'd look on a laptop, or in VirtualBox.

I use the test server with a touch monitor.

VB no idea, but if you're on a WS2012<-W8 setup then gestures should transfer OK.

I like Windows 8 on a touchscreen a lot and to me it makes a lot of sense on desktop and mobile systems, but having the same advantages / associated handicap (on non touch systems) on WS2012 is... well, it makes no sense given deployment scenarios, even to a large extent if you use the rationale "no-one will be standing in front of the hardware they'll be managing".

For config user interaction in WS2012 not to annoy me immensely I either have to ensure that I can RDP in on a touch system all the time, or when I'm on-site I have to have touch monitors on the KVMs. This is kinda ridiculous. I don't want to run third party tools to get core system functionality back... I wonder if there's a way to turn it all off though (and give me a full Start menu back). Guess not.

Failing that, as I asked, does anyone have suggestions for a rackmount W8-compliant Touch monitor?

 

[Doomer]

I added a start button to my Server 2012 and now all is well.

 

[vbuggy]

I guess I should do that.

What with the rumoured about-face for Blue, I might wait for what changes they decide to make. WS2012 rollout is not urgent and I'm only testing right now so I can wait.

 

[spikey1973]

hello

i'm completely new here, and not just here also in the entire server world.
I've installed ms server 2012 R2 on a standalone machine which is not linked to any network let alone the internet and it will never either.

My choice for server 2012 is for completely other reasons that it's server capabilities but is definitely considered high-end use.

so the choice for server 2012 instead of windows 8 is intentionally and not a fluke.

but because it's working a bit out of its domain i have some a question. 1 for now and maybe some more later on (don't worry i'll try to learn and figure things out myself first with help of good old google)

but for now i'm a bit stuck on this first issue.

i'm going for full touchscreen function.
found the onscreen keyboard but i get stuck at the logon.

can i remove this logon entirely? i really don't need it but i understand that it is normally essential for server use so... kind of figure not but if it could it would really help a lot.

if not, how do i get past de CRTL+ALT+DEL screen without keyboard and how do i get a keyboard at the password screen.

hope you guys can help me out! specially you vbuggy as you seem to have the experience.

kind regards

Matthieu

 

[Engineer]

hello

i'm completely new here, and not just here also in the entire server world.
I've installed ms server 2012 R2 on a standalone machine which is not linked to any network let alone the internet and it will never either.

My choice for server 2012 is for completely other reasons that it's server capabilities but is definitely considered high-end use.

so the choice for server 2012 instead of windows 8 is intentionally and not a fluke.

but because it's working a bit out of its domain i have some a question. 1 for now and maybe some more later on (don't worry i'll try to learn and figure things out myself first with help of good old google)

but for now i'm a bit stuck on this first issue.

i'm going for full touchscreen function.
found the onscreen keyboard but i get stuck at the logon.

can i remove this logon entirely? i really don't need it but i understand that it is normally essential for server use so... kind of figure not but if it could it would really help a lot.

if not, how do i get past de CRTL+ALT+DEL screen without keyboard and how do i get a keyboard at the password screen.

hope you guys can help me out! specially you vbuggy as you seem to have the experience.

kind regards

Matthieu

As for the CTRL + ALT + DEL, you can turn that requirement off:

http://www.win2012workstation.com/disable-ctrlaltdel/

As for keyboard, I think you can have a virtual keyboard load up even before login but I don't remember right off hand. We have done this with Server 2008 using a touchscreen but I honestly don't remember what we did for a keyboard.