Windows Server 2003 drivers?

So, I'm trying to slipstream my Windows Server 2003 (Enterprise) cd. I can't find any server 2003 drivers on the Dell website for Vostro 1400. Even an inspirion 1420 doesn't have drivers for server 2003.

Anyone knows if I can use vista drivers? Will XP drivers work as well? Any known issues?

Also, my Vostro came with vista pre-installed on it. But, when I tried to install server 2003 on it (without slipstreaming cd), it said it couldn't find my harddrive. So, I guess I *MUST* slipstream my cd. But why? Isn't 2003 and Vista based on 2000/NT?

 

This is a little off topic, but why would you want to install a server operating system on a laptop? I've heard of people doing this, but (for the life of me) I just don't understand the reasoning behind this decision.

It's no surprise you can't find Server 2003 drivers for a laptop - Dell doesn't sell laptops with Server 2003. Sometimes XP drivers will work with Server 2003, if you install them in XP compatibility mode, but that's based on my experience with a desktop/server PC and not a laptop. I seriously doubt you'll get the system software to work under Server 2003.

Server 2003 is based on the NT kernel, but that doesn't mean it works exactly like Vista or any other NT based kernel. For example, Windows Home Server is based on Server 2003, but it does not install like Server 2003. There are ways around SATA driver requirements - check your BIOS, and review some of the other posts regarding SATA and laptops, when installing an operating system. I do recall reading a few threads about this, but I don't recall any specific threads.

 

Thanks for the rapid reply.

I need to install SQL Server 2005, so I need server 2003 installed first. But why laptop? Because, both my desktops are down.
And this isn't the first time i've seen server installed on laptop. My neighbour is DBA and he has SQL server installed on his VAIO that he uses for office work.

 

I believe nearly every version of SQL Server 2005 works on any Win32 operating system, doesn't it (excluding Vista)? Is there a particular reason why you need Server 2003 instead of Windows XP or Windows 2000 Professional?

SQL Server isn't an operating system - I was referring to an actual server OS like Server 2000/2003. When I was heavy into Access database development, I was running a SQL server on my laptop for testing purposes, and it happily chugged along on my Windows XP laptop.

 

Second to what he said Yes, you can install SQL Server 2005 except Enterprise Edition and I assume that you run Vista Ultimate. If you have Home Premium, you may install Developer Edition or Express Edition.