WINDOWS 2003 SOUND

[jdwclemson]

I have recently come across the fact that CREATIVE does not have any drivers for the Windows 2003 Server. I am not sure if this is the result of CREATIVE or MICROSOFT, but it does seem like a failure to not be able to play sound under this OS. If anybody knows of a an alternative solution to getting sound on a Server OS, please let me know.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Servers generally don't need sound. I think the XP drivers work, but you have to turn a knob.

 

[MrChad]

Windows 2003 is a server OS, and as such, sound isn't very important.

That said, if you absolutely need sound on your server, XP drivers will probably work, assuming you've found a way to install DirectX.

 

[jdwclemson]

To ellaborate, we are using 2003 Server for the sake of having an OS that supports more than 4GB of RAM. Windows XP x64 would be a reasonable option, but undoubtedly over half of the appplications we have a need for, do not run on Windows 64 and will not for at least 6 more months. So it appears that there might be a conflict with finding a software supported OS that handles more than 4GB of RAM AND plays sound, but unfortunately these matters all are concerns to us.

 

[nweaver]

4GB of ram AND sound support....


Must be running Netware with login scripts using the "Phaser" command....

 

[jdwclemson]

We just need to run a lot of applications at the same time. Each of these is essential.

 

[imported_BikeDude]

I've used SoundStorm (nForce2 chipset), SB Audigy and HDA Digital X-Mystique7.1 Gold soundcards under 32-bit Windows 2003 Server for quite a while now. (not all at the same time obviously)

Win2003 Server SP1 matches the same features as XPSP2. You might want to run dxdiag.exe to make sure you have full sound acceleration enabled, but I do not recall issues other than that. (for games and workstation type apps you'll also want to enable full graphics acceleration, but I assume you knew that already)

Direct-X 9 is of course included. (the DX9 updater on the Battlefield2 DVD will even update 64-bit Win2003!)

I'm surprised to learn that half your apps won't run under 64-bit Windows. *shrug* Remember that processes are limited to 2GB memory under 32-bit Windows, whereas 64-bit Windows can give 32-bit processes a 4GB virtual address space. So if memory is your thing, you are probably better off with 64-bit Windows. (worst case: Install each OS on seperate drives and dual boot... That way you have an easy fallback -- personally I even share the same user profile between the 64-bit and 32-bit version of Win2003)

HTH.

 

[jdwclemson]

Thanks for the advice, I will continue to attempt to get sound cards and nforce sound to work with 2003 Server. Although Server might restrict each application to 2GB, at least it will allow us to run 3+ of these applications at the same time, as this is an essential need of ours.

 

[dawks]

As said, XP drivers should work.. Generally speaking a less feature rich card, like an SB 16 or something might have a better chance of working with Server 2003. Also note you might need to enable the Windows Audio Service inorder to get things working properly.

 

[Valkerie]

I thought x64 would emulate x32 apps?

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Valkerie
I thought x64 would emulate x32 apps?

It will, I would consider this a better option if the motivating factor is to use more than 4GB of RAM. XP is a lot cheaper than Server 2003.

Besides, in the event that your apps are upgraded to x64 (as you eluded to earlier) it would mean you stand to take advantage of the 64bit processor at that time.

 

[Brazen]

Why not just run each app on a seperate computer?

 

[NogginBoink]

Just load the WinXP drivers for the soundcard. The driver vendor has to try real hard to make a driver that'll run on XP but not W2K3.

Also, enable the windows audio service on W2K3 that's disabled by default.

 

[Phoenix86]

Something doesn't add up. Why not use multiple machines? XP64 should be a viable option, but drivers there are iffy as well (though it tends to be more performance related).

What are you doing on this machine that requires more than 4GB of RAM and sound... Doesn't add up.

 

[Bozo]

"What are you doing on this machine that requires more than 4GB of RAM and sound..."

Doom3

I ran Server 2003 for a year with a Santa Cruz sound card. Just used Win2K drivers. I also played Doom3 on it without issues.

Why? Because I could.

Bozo