Win 2003 server and games

[dskaplan]

I just installed a copy of Win Server 2003 to get some experience on my home machine. The problem is, I can't seem to run Warcraft 3 on it. It becomes non responsive (doesn't make it so far as to launch the game), and I have to cancel through task manager. Is there any way I can get this to work?

It's my home machine, so I'd like to do other stuff with it than just learn server 2003 if possible. Am I hoping for too much?

Thanks!
David

 

[Tiger]

Probably.
It is a server OS.

 

[Avatar26]

Originally posted by: dskaplan
I just installed a copy of Win Server 2003 to get some experience on my home machine. The problem is, I can't seem to run Warcraft 3 on it. It becomes non responsive (doesn't make it so far as to launch the game), and I have to cancel through task manager. Is there any way I can get this to work?

It's my home machine, so I'd like to do other stuff with it than just learn server 2003 if possible. Am I hoping for too much?

Thanks!
David

When you decide to take your head out of the sand (or wherever it is you have chosen to stick it), please refer to this thread and for Pete's sake, please everyone STOP TRYING TO USE A SERVER OS AS A HOME OS!!!

 

[spyordie007]

what on earth are you people doing with copies of Win 2K3 Server anyways?

 

[Avatar26]

They appear to be neffing (and multiplying).
It'll be fun to watch them post in 180 days (less now) and see them scramble to find some way to reactivate the software after the timebomb in 2003 Server goes off and nukes their files, and all their fun.:evil:

 

[spyordie007]

With the number of posts we've seen like this over the past few weeks I wonder if there is a crack for it or something, even with the evaluation version you have to activate it and it wont let you install it on another box.

 

[Avatar26]

From what I've seen around other (read: less reputable) forums, noone has found a crack that is 100% effective. I personally can't understand why people don't just use what fits their needs, and pay for what they are using. Some day all of the bad karma from using the pirated/cracked software will catch up with these people...

 

[spyordie007]

Some day all of the bad karma from using the pirated/cracked software will catch up with these people...

Now that I doubt, the only people I've ever seen say that they were actually sorry for pirating software were the ones who got cought.

For the record if you guys are in class and you are getting evaluation copies of Win 2K3 Server so you can learn about how to use it than more power to you! How about you take the time to learn the tools that are available with it rather than trying to hack it up to run as a desktop? If you want to learn more about using it I suggest you start (in a firewalled enviroment) by installing IIS, than after you're done playing with that set it up as a domain controller so you can get used to active directory. Another thing you could play with would be group policies.

If all you ever wanted to do was to play games than install XP. XP is better suited for games and all the vendors support it anyways. Besides like Avatar said, that evaluation copy is going to run out on you soon, but XP wont.

-Spy

 

[Avatar26]

For the record if you guys are in class and you are getting evaluation copies of Win 2K3 Server so you can learn about how to use it than more power to you! How about you take the time to learn the tools that are available with it rather than trying to hack it up to run as a desktop? If you want to learn more about using it I suggest you start (in a firewalled enviroment) by installing IIS, than after you're done playing with that set it up as a domain controller so you can get used to active directory. Another thing you could play with would be group policies.

Well said. If you are, in fact, trying to learn about it rather than hack it, I can point you to some good books (maybe even send them to you when I'm done with them).

 

[dskaplan]

***When you decide to take your head out of the sand (or wherever it is you have chosen to stick it***

Um, Avatar26, why so anal? I'm sure you know everything there is to know about everything, but us average people need to learn this stuff the hard way.

As I said, I installed 2003 server to learn it, and since it IS my home machine, I'd like to install normal programs and games on it while I test the server utilities. I am I missing something, or is there some flaw in that reasoning?

For reference, I managed to find out that it's a problem with DirectX and not the game itself. For some reason, directx is not initializing. I can't seem to find any services that would effect it, so I guess I'll be doing some research to find out why it's not working.

 

[Avatar26]

Originally posted by: dskaplan
***When you decide to take your head out of the sand (or wherever it is you have chosen to stick it***

Um, Avatar26, why so anal? I'm sure you know everything there is to know about everything, but us average people need to learn this stuff the hard way.

As I said, I installed 2003 server to learn it, and since it IS my home machine, I'd like to install normal programs and games on it while I test the server utilities. I am I missing something, or is there some flaw in that reasoning?

For reference, I managed to find out that it's a problem with DirectX and not the game itself. For some reason, directx is not initializing. I can't seem to find any services that would effect it, so I guess I'll be doing some research to find out why it's not working.

Most of the DirectX functions are disabled by default because it is a server OS. DirectX is not really necessary for a server. Now, I'm all for people trying to learn how to use the software and expand their knowledge, however, I think the point Spy (and I , less vocally) have tried to make to people is this is not a desktop OS, and should not be used as such. If you want to learn, pick up a super cheap old computer (runs fine on my old P3-450 w/ 256MB PC100 RAM) rather than using your primary home desktop. Heck, my new server is on the way, I'll sell you the old P3. The point is, there have been MANY posts telling people that this is a server OS, not designed for desktops, don't try it, it'll just makes things difficult for you and cause more frustration than good. At the very least, partition your drive, run 2003 Server on one partition, and a home OS on the other. Do it for your own sanity, trust me.

P.S. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but all the people asking questions about why this OS doesn't work like home OS's is driving me nuts. Here, this on is on me:beer:

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: dskaplan
***When you decide to take your head out of the sand (or wherever it is you have chosen to stick it***

Um, Avatar26, why so anal? I'm sure you know everything there is to know about everything, but us average people need to learn this stuff the hard way.

As I said, I installed 2003 server to learn it, and since it IS my home machine, I'd like to install normal programs and games on it while I test the server utilities. I am I missing something, or is there some flaw in that reasoning?

For reference, I managed to find out that it's a problem with DirectX and not the game itself. For some reason, directx is not initializing. I can't seem to find any services that would effect it, so I guess I'll be doing some research to find out why it's not working.

dskaplan-

No offence but you are really going about this the wrong way. If you want to learn it and you only have one computer to work with (your desktop) than perhaps you should consider a dual-boot option (like avatar suggested), that way you dont have to hackup your desktop to be a server while hacking up your server to be a desktop.

-Spy

 

[Teva24]

Well I'm of the other side of the question:

Set Windows Sound Service to Automatic in Services MMC
Display Props-Advanced-Troublshooting, enable full acceleration
Install a display driver rated to at least XP
Reboot
Check to make sure it's still set to Full Acceleration
Run DXDIAG, display, turn on DirectX functions and enable/disable agp (your choice)

you also may want to install DirectX9.0a from the microsoft site, www.microsoft.com/directx

you should now be able to use full DirectX and Audio. Although some games still might not like it.

I've been doing this since I got my copy, and it's 99% flawless.

Also, some have said to put the server on another box, some people in this world can't afford another pc (even elcheapo), and i have yet to crash 2k3.

And for what it's worth:
WinXP, fresh install, newest drivers for vid/aud/chipset
vs
Win2k3 Std Server, fresh install, newest drivers for vid/aud (OS chipset drivers used)

Win2K3 gets about +300 on 3dmark2k3 with a Radeon9800pro vs the XP setup.

 

[Avatar26]

Originally posted by: Teva24
Well I'm of the other side of the question:

Set Windows Sound Service to Automatic in Services MMC
Display Props-Advanced-Troublshooting, enable full acceleration
Install a display driver rated to at least XP
Reboot
Check to make sure it's still set to Full Acceleration
Run DXDIAG, display, turn on DirectX functions and enable/disable agp (your choice)

you also may want to install DirectX9.0a from the microsoft site, www.microsoft.com/directx

you should now be able to use full DirectX and Audio. Although some games still might not like it.

I've been doing this since I got my copy, and it's 99% flawless.

Also, some have said to put the server on another box, some people in this world can't afford another pc (even elcheapo), and i have yet to crash 2k3.

And for what it's worth:
WinXP, fresh install, newest drivers for vid/aud/chipset
vs
Win2k3 Std Server, fresh install, newest drivers for vid/aud (OS chipset drivers used)

Win2K3 gets about +300 on 3dmark2k3 with a Radeon9800pro vs the XP setup.

Ok, I understand you got a performance increase, however, there are things it will not do/be compatible with that XP is. Again, if you want to learn a server OS, run it as a server, as it's intended. If you can't afford a 10 GB HD (look in FS/FT Forum, you can get a small HD for the price of a dinner or 2 at McDonalds), then you probably shouldn't be spending time on an OS that will cost you $700-$800 to get once the trial period is up. Buy a small drive (or partition the existing one) and use that small storage space to test 2003 Server. Leave your games and other fun stuff to a desktop OS. I hope that is plain enough for all. If anyone else posts in here that you can make it work like a desktop OS, I will promptly find the ignorance stick your mom beat you with and tell you where to shove it.

 

[Jaylllo]

I think there is a leak of the corporate edition floating around. The ohter day my suitemate (yes im in college) comes running in I got Win2k03 cracked etc.

I was like thats nice. I use my nice Nt4 workstation as desktop OS and Freebsd as server (yes, I use old OSes.)

Personally, I don't see why I would bother with eval/cracks. Every first release of Windows in the NT line has had some big issue with hardware (like 2k and Amd AGP,Nt4 with a bunch of cheap NICs). I'm not going to beta test their POS stuff.
Especially sinceu they do charge for it.

Lastly, you won't learn much using an Server OS as a desktop (not a windows one anyway). What, are you going to run some services, and hook it up to the net let it get hacked? Windows boxes love to network.

 

[tinyabs]

Originally posted by: Teva24
Well I'm of the other side of the question:

Set Windows Sound Service to Automatic in Services MMC
Display Props-Advanced-Troublshooting, enable full acceleration
Install a display driver rated to at least XP
Reboot
Check to make sure it's still set to Full Acceleration
Run DXDIAG, display, turn on DirectX functions and enable/disable agp (your choice)

you also may want to install DirectX9.0a from the microsoft site, www.microsoft.com/directx

you should now be able to use full DirectX and Audio. Although some games still might not like it.

I've been doing this since I got my copy, and it's 99% flawless.

Also, some have said to put the server on another box, some people in this world can't afford another pc (even elcheapo), and i have yet to crash 2k3.

And for what it's worth:
WinXP, fresh install, newest drivers for vid/aud/chipset
vs
Win2k3 Std Server, fresh install, newest drivers for vid/aud (OS chipset drivers used)

Win2K3 gets about +300 on 3dmark2k3 with a Radeon9800pro vs the XP setup.

Heard of Trustworthy Computing Initiative from Microsoft. For me, it's a enhanced W2k with everything possiby vulnerable disabled. No scripting in IE, secured by default (disabled unnecessary things), secured by design(don't developed unnecessary things), secured by deployment (secured out of the box) - that's SD3+C (c. MSDN TV).

If you want to use Win2K3 as a home OS, just enable everything(DX, IE scripting...) and it works fine like Win2K. So if there is any hack to your system, that's because you opened a backdoor. Otherwise, it's secured out of the box.

People would need a MCSE Win2k3 cert to operate that OS. They recommended that you should not browse the Internet with administrator rights; MSCEs should already know that point.

 

[spyordie007]

If you want to use Win2K3 as a home OS, just enable everything(DX, IE scripting...) and it works fine like Win2K. So if there is any hack to your system, that's because you opened a backdoor. Otherwise, it's secured out of the box.

If you enable everything a Win XP desktop has it will be just as secure as Win XP, just because things are disabled by default re-enabling it wont make the OS any more secure.

-Spy

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Jaylllo
I think there is a leak of the corporate edition floating around. The ohter day my suitemate (yes im in college) comes running in I got Win2k03 cracked etc.

I have heard rumors that there is an ISO of Windows 2003 Server Corporate floating around, but of course, I've not confirmed them.

I was like thats nice. I use my nice Nt4 workstation as desktop OS and Freebsd as server (yes, I use old OSes.)

Hey, nothing wrong with NT4 (aside from less than optimal USB support - but if you don't need it, why upgrade?). At least it's a lot better than Windows 98, what all of the other strict traditionalists around here are stuck on.

 

[Avatar26]

Found a newly released guide to setting up Windows 2003 Server as a desktop OS:

Step 1: Find a pencil
Step 2: Sharpen pencil
Step 3: Align pencil
Step 4: Shove pencil in ear
Step 5: Repeat as necessary

Interesting, seems Darwin's ideas still carry some weight...

 

[Guga]

I don't know why t'hell you guys are getting stressed with people who wants to use Win2k3 as their home desktops. If they wanna try it let they try it.

The most probably thing is that they will quickly learn that OS servers don't fit their intention and will remove it.

Microsoft distributed many trial versions of Win2k3 in their workshops and it is natural that many people try to install the Server and try to run the aplications they use to on other client OS.

For me for example I have 3 machines, one of them with win2k3 server installed, the other 2 with win2k and xp.
I have enable the options that let me play games for example on the 2003.
Now you ask why?
Because I have a damn machine on it and if I use it most like a server (I'm a MS Trainer), I want to use it also in a weekend in a lanparty with my friends.
If I can join the usefull with the pleasure why not??

and I'm sure that there is many people with some racional explanation for why they want to use it, and of course there are many more that won't need at all.

 

[spyordie007]

Nobody is stressing out about it, it's just out of place.

If someone came up to you and said that it was a pain to drive their 18-wheeler rig on their commute to work you would ask "why dont you just use a car?" Likewise for this Windows 2003 Server is your 18-wheeler rig of Microsoft OSs whereas Windows XP is the sedan. If you want to do some heavy duty hauling than the 18-wheeler has some obvious advantages, if you want to get yourself to work than a sedan has some obvious advantages.

It all goes back to that "using the proper tool for the job" mentality. This is a free country and if you want to use a hammer to drive in screws on your house go for it, but I'm not letting you anywhere near mine.

-Spy