[Tutorial] Windows 2008... NBR Edition.

"Vista" OS on steroids: Windows® Server® 2008 Desktop Edition, for your nice and shiny notebook (or PC )

The greatest Microsoft® OS...
...for only 0,00$. No trick and, best of all, totally legal. Microsoft® is offering the Windows® Server® 2008 as a 60 days trial. But, a method of extending the trial to 240 days is also offered. So, we have a free, better and stable than Windows® Vista® SP1, operating system. Sounds great, doesn’t?
Well, let’s get it started. We all have, mostly, notebooks that hide, “under the hood”, an AMD64 platform. And some of those notebooks have 4GB of RAM. Memory that is not properly accessed by the OS, even if it sees it (Vista® 32 SP1 does that, for example). So, if we want to use it at the full potential, and use hardware virtualization with Hyper-V… we’ll use the x64 version. If not… the x86 will be also fine, because it is the only non-hacked 32 bits OS from Microsoft® that uses all those 4GB of RAM.

By now, we know where to head: x64 or x86. My advice is to use the x64, like I already said, if you have a supported platform (I’ve run some tests a few months ago, for an article, and found out that Vista® x64 runs way faster than XP® 32, while running 3D modeling and video processing applications).

1st STEP.
Make sure you have everything your hardware needs, regarding the drivers. Most x64 Vista® drivers run well, so no need to worry. If you already use Vista® x64 SP1… back-up your drivers with a specialized tool (if they are up-to-date), because you will integrate them easier in the kit, with Nuhi’s tool. If you don’t know how to do than, check the second post in this thread.

2nd STEP.
Install the OS. Choose the version you want (standard, because we’ll use it as a desktop OS, and sincerely, it really doesn’t matter what server components it has). After approximately 15-20 minutes you will face the clean desktop of the Windows® Server® 2008. SP1 by the way. After you install the drivers, the right way (if you don’t know that either, check the 3rd post in this thread), open the Server Manager ( Start – Administrative Tools – Server Manager). Enable everything you need/want, from the Features Summary, Add Features. For the Aero, Windows Media Player and other Vista® desktop applications… install Desktop Experience. BitLocker, Telnet, Wireless LAN… chose what you need. For Hyper-V and/or Search function (File Services option)… you’ll have to use the Server Roles. In almost the same way. Be careful, the Wireless LAN won’t work only with the drivers, you’ll have to install it’s support, as specified earlier.

3rd STEP.
Fine setting the OS. Well, even if you did installed the Desktop Experience package, you will not be able to use Aero. Not before you start the proper services (the audio is also turned off, by the way). So, type Services.msc in the Run box. Then, scroll to the Themes and Windows Audio services. Open them, and in the Start-up Type setting, chose Automatic (for a full services configuration, check the 4th post in this thread). After starting these services you can select Aero in the same way you do it on Windows® Vista® and you will also have sound. For full experience, right click on Computer and go to Properties – Advanced System Settings – Performance – Settings – Visual Effects and set to Adjust For Best Appearance. Now you will also have thumbnails for images and videos and the rest of the visual “cuteness” of Windows® Vista®.

Next, you’ll have to do a few settings to get rid of the Shutdown Event Tracker and the Enhanced Security Configuration of the Internet Explorer. If you use another browser you can skip this, but… it’s really annoyin’ when you need to use Internet Explorer.

So, for the Shutdown Event Tracker, type MMC.msc in the Run box (if it’s not working, type just MMC). Than, in the new window, go to File – Add/Remove Snap-in… and chose Group Policy object. Than, Ok. Now go to Administrative Templates, in the Computer Configuration, and expand System. Double click on the Display Shutdown Event Tracker and set it to Disabled. Ok but don’t close the window yet. Double click on the Do Not Display Manage Your Server Page At Logon. Enable it than double click on Remove Boot / Shutdown / Log-On / Log-Off Status Messages and enable it as well. Stay in this windows if you want those Vista® sounds back. Go to Log-On and open Turn Off Windows Start-Up Sounds properties. Disable it.

Now, let’s get rid of the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration. In the Server Manager, go to Security Information setting and click on the Configure IE ESC. Set it Off for Administrators and On for the Users.
Next, we have (are we forced? ) to enable SuperFetch. This is done by editing a Windows Registry value, so we’ll have to type RegEdit on the Run box, first. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters and make these two DWORD32 keys: EnablePrefetcher DWORD 3 and EnableSuperfetch DWORD 3. That’s it.

Optional – If you want to change the owner name and organization – don’t close RegEdit yet. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion and make the wanted modifications.
Next (nope, we’re not ready yet), let’s disable the Control + Alt + Delete requirement at start-up. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System and set the DisableCAD DWORD value to 00000001. If we don’t want to be asked for a password also, type, in the Run box, control userpassword2. Click on the user you want (here you can make your own user or modify the Administrator one) and uncheck the User Must Enter A Username And Password To Use This Computer. Than, type your password twice and… we’re done. Just with this, not everything.

4th STEP.
240 days of Windows® Server® 2008. You can reset the trial 3 times, before the initial 60 days of it. You can make a scheduled task to reactivate it after each 60 days, so you can have 240 days of it without reactivate it manually by yourself. In the Run box, enter slmgr.vbs –rearm than, and you will receive the message Command completed successfully. Please restart the system for the changes to take effect. Now another 60 days of trial begun.
240 days is a lot of time, for a normal Windows user (most of us – not me through – reinstall it every few months), so we do have a free, powerful, and once again, free, operating system.

5th STEP.
Preparing it for gaming. In some games, you will have the following error: Error loading C:\Windows\system32\gameux.dll. The specified module could not be found. Search for that file, for your version (32 or 64 bits - if you have Vista® installed, take it from it) and than register it by typing, in the Run box, regsvr32 C:\Windows\system32\gameux.dll. That’s it. For the 64 bits version, you will have to place it in the SysWOW64 folder too, and run the command regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\gameux.dll C:\Windows\SysWOW64\gameux.dll.
Some games are forbidden to run by DEP. That is fixed by enabling it just for the Windows applications and files. Go to Computer – Properties – Advanced System Settings – Settings – Data Execution Prevention tab and select Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only. You will have to restart for this to take effect.
Some games… will work just selecting the compatibly mode (right click on the executable, select Properties – Compatibility – Run this program in compatibly mode with - select here XP SP2 or 98, if the program is older than 2000/XP era).

And we are almost ready. I know that I have forgot a lot of things, but while browsing in my Windows® Server® 2008 “Workstation Edition” I will remember them and edit this thread.

The other parts will be ready soon, now I’ll go the beach, to catch some sun.

P.S. I’ll make screenshots later, also.

P.P.S. This guide is intended to help, especially, those who buy notebooks without OS-es installed and... they don't love *nix to much, but they don't have any bucks to spend on a Microsoft product.

 

Reserved.

 

Reserved.

 

Reserved.

 

Reserved.

 

Reserved.

 

If anyone encounters any problem... post in here and I'll help.

 

And now, the question on everyone's mind... how many more frames will this get me in Crysis? XD

Good job on the guide, btw, Rep ++

 

Well... I don't play Crysis. But, If you're not having any difficulties running it, I believe that you'll have better results than Vista SP1, with it.

 

well, seems you have been faster than me !

was thinking about a server 2008 guide also yesterday.

so since you have been faster, i´ll post some findings here also.

first of all there is a forum that is dedicated to running server 2008 as a workstation. there you will find some things you will have to enable, server roles to install and compatibility resources for apps, games and drivers. it has been a very useful resource for me, and for anyone trying server 2008 it will give helpful hints.

http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/

there is also a small software written by one of the forums members that will automate a lot of the things you would do to make server 2008 running smooth and with sound and wireless support.

the tool can also be found at that forum:

Windows Server 2008 Workstation Converter 0.3 Alpha
http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=312

i just can recommend server2008 since it´s faster and seems seems much more stable than vista x64.

+1 for the guide (and beeing faster than me )

 

Neeee... I'm a lazy bastard (I've been thinking to write for a few months) but I have a deadline who passed a few days ago and... I thought that my readers will like this kind of solution. The fun part is that I've written it first in english, for NBR, so now I'll have to translate my work.

P.S. Those reserved posts will make this article more suitable for NBR, because I'll talk about notebook configuring and optimizing.

 

Is Windows 2008 worth the upgrade from Vista x64? Could you give a rough estimate on the performance increase?

 

Well, it has less "crapware". I performed no benchmarks yet but I see some overall improvements. I have a lot of work to do these days so I can't do a comparison... it would be interesting (and you made me consider making a future article on that ).

 

The myth of Windows "Workstation 2008":
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=2245

 

And what crapware would that be. Windows 2008 is a great server OS I run one, but the cost is prohibitively expensive to be used as a desktop OS even for marginal or any performance gain.

 

Well, it does have some points... but only a few. I repeat, If you are not that lazy (to reinstall it every 8 months), you can have all the good things of the Vista SP1 at a price of... nothing. That's the main advantage. If it's free, can't you just tweak it a little? You want it free as in "i don't even want to configure my network connection"?

Regarding the crapware... well, maybe I was too rough. But Vista SP1 indeed comes with a lot of unneeded components, for me. And I don't believe that I'm the only one that would love to have them off and installed only on demand.

 

man i can't find a smiley to show how much i'm thankful to both of you right now

and now thanks to our beloved dean my university's MSDN with microsoft gives me access to what i believe to be FULL FREE versions of windows server 2008 datacenter , enterprise and standard editions all in 32 and 64 bits

will i got my eyes set on a C2D p8400 4Gb lappy and i plan to triple boot linux + vista business 32 bits (for gaming) + server 2008 (enterprise x64)

any recommendations would be appreciated

 

I play games on Server 2008 Enterprise x64 without a problem. So you probably don't need the triple boot.

 

It probably takes less time to just disable unused processes/services in Vista than it does tweaking Server '08 to run as a workstation OS.

 

The only thing I needed to turn on was Wifi and it has been fine since.

 

thanks
so no vista for me

 

loaded server 2008 ok on acer 6920g thanks to lots of good tips in here. but... i have set it to auto login and fogotten the admin password, i had to make one different to my usual one (doh!). i now want to take off the autologin and add 2 proper users but cant do that without the admin password.
how can i reset the admin password?

 

bump
anybody know this, without having to reload os?

 

You can attempt to use bartPE but it doesn't support server 2008, only 2003 to my knowledge but it's worth a shot

 

Reserved.

 

If you're a student you can download free + get a free license from Dreamspark.

 

ok, so i remembered my pw and all is well with server 2008. i only really use it for games but is not really faster than my vista 64. on overclocked 9500M GS 3Dmark06 within 20 points, about 3900 but my vista is loaded with progs and server is basic. with 9600M GS same results, 4752 vista, 4768 server 2008. startup is quicker but so what if operation is the same. is it just that peoples working system is full of junk that new install (of anything) seems quicker.
what about win 7? i have a copy to load on soon and will give that a try now there is a graphics driver. are the kernals of vista, server 2008 and win 7 really all the same thing in a different package?
old faithful XP 32's best score was 4897 - still the king ;-)

 

I'm back.

Men, this is for anyone who respects the law and uses only free or licensed software. Ofcourse, if you're a pirate, you'll better use Vista SP2 x64, it's the same thing but with less troubleshooting and less tweaking and optimizing.

I will write another tutorial, when the Windows 7 server counterpart will be out.

 

@CQSTELUSH

Win 2008 R2 is out. just to remind you for your next tutorial.