Windows Server 2008 as desktop/laptop OS
Last night I jumped in and decided to install go forward with my grand plan, namely running Windows Server 2008 as my laptop OS.
Installation
After making sure that I had backed up everything I might be needing from the old Windows XP install, I basically wiped the whole laptop and started fresh. A couple of partition deletions later, the Windows Server 2008 install was underway and on my Lenovo ThinkPad T60 the installation was pretty much done in 15 minutes.Thats right, 15 minutes from the install started until I was able to logon for the first time.
No questions are asked during install. No computer name setup, no passwords, nothing. You can pretty much stick the media in the computer, go have a cup of coffee or something, and come back to finalize your installation. Hands off installation at it's very best.
After the first logon, you get presented with the "Server Manager" which under the "Features Summary" states 0 of 36 features installed. Is this really Microsoft? They have 36 features you can add, and they don't force you to disable the ones you don't need? You actually need to make an active choice to enable the features you want? Thats great!
The "Server Manager" itself warrants a post of it's own. By far the best management console to come out of Redmond to date, and the ability to have diagnostics, roles, and features all in one central place like this is something that has been in demand for years. Well done!
On to driver installation. Most drivers were automatically installed, after all Server 2008 shares kernel and codebase with Windows Vista, so this was to be expected. The drivers that Server 2008 didn't handle on it's own, were for the most part handled by Lenovo System Update which identifies my system as Vista. The only thing I'm missing at this point are the Bluetooth drivers, but I'm pretty sure they'll install without much problems after a manual download from Lenovo.
Of course, running Windows Server 2008 as a desktop OS means that you will have to manually configure a few items. Unlike previous Windows Server versions, Server 2008 is pretty much locked down when installed. After all, who needs Aero, Windows Media Player and Wireless connectivity on their servers? It is a server OS after all. Well, as it turns out, I do. If you can call Aero a need that is, but I just had to try and enable it to compare performance with Vista.
The first "problem" was wireless connectivity. The wireless driver for my laptop seemed to be installed ok, but I was competely unable to find, and much less connect to, any wireless network. This was pretty infortunate, as I only use the laptop on wireless connectivty at home. Sitting on the floor with a cable attached to my wireless access point wasn't much fun, so I had to tackle that issue first.
The solution is pretty straight forward, and makes perfect sense, but if you don't know where to look it might pose a problem getting wireless to work.
Wireless
As I mentioned earlier, Wireless LAN features are not installed by default. All you have to do, is to add the "Wireless LAN Feature" to the server. That brings us to the new "Server Manager" console that Microsoft provides in Server 2008. Start "Server Manager", click on "Features" then go to "Add Features" and right at the bottom you'll find "Wireless LAN Service".
Internet Explorer Security
The second issue, if you want to call it an issue, is that by default Internet Explorer is locked down with the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configration settings. For the most part thats a good idea, and I'll leave it enabled on all my real servers at work, but when using it as a desktop OS it is just annoying. Disabling it is a bit different that from Server 2003, but it's a very quick procedure in Server 2008. In Server Manager browse to the Security Information section and click "Configure IE ESC".
Aero:
Now, to enable Aero features there are a couple of things that needs to be done. First, use the "Add Features Wizard" to add "Desktop Experience". This requires a reboot, but thats not all, you also need to start the "Theme" service, which is disabled by default. When you have logged back in, launch "Server Manger" and browse to "Configuration" -> "Services" and locate the "Themes" service. Change the value from "Disabled" to "Automatic" and start the service. After the service starts, right click on the Desktop select "Personalize" and set the theme to Windows Vista.
Other
I've installed most of my day to day work applications on the newly installed laptop. Lotus Notes 8, VMware Virtual Infrastructure Client, Firefox etc. The only problem I've encountered so far, was installing MSN Live. The standard download doesn't install on Server operating systems, but there is an alternative download available. I've seen that others have experienced problems with running VMware Workstation 6 and Hyper-V simultaneously, but I've yet to test Hyper-V here, nor run any VMware products on top of it. While I plan on testing out Hyper-V on this system, I have to prioritize VMware Server for now. I still have a few template images I need to create, both personally and for the Gallery team.I might be running the most expensive laptop OS in the world, but so far I'm extemely happy with it. I was even able to join the work domain remotely, via our Firepass SSL VPN solution. I had a small problem with the initial logon for my user account though, as the VPN client wasn't running when the logon box appears. That was easiliy solved by logging on as a local administrator, connecting to the SSL VPN, switching user account and then logging on with my domain user.
Conclusion
Windows Server 2008 performs better, even with the Aero features enabled, than Vista ever did on the same hardware. To
me, this a bit strange, even if a lot of services are still disabled,
as the codebase is pretty much the same as Vista. For all I know, Vista
might perform better now that Service Pack 1 has been released, but I
don't anticipate changing back any time soon. Another factor here is
that I had the 32bit version of Vista installed, while I'm now running
64bit Server 2008. How much of a difference that really makes, I don't
know.My experience with Windows Server 2008 so far really makes me want to get started with upgrading my domain at work and all my servers. I'm literally acing to run adprep /forestprep and adprep /domainprep right now, but I'll wait until I'm physically at work though.
Mr. Patrick O'Rourke from the Microsoft Server Divison, if you are still reading this site please send my regards to the whole development team. You've made a great desktop OS, I'm confident it will be great on my servers as well.
Post metadata
Published February 19, 2008 22:38
26 comments
Tagged with desktop, featured, laptop, lenovo, Server 2008, vista, windows and x64
26 Responses to Windows Server 2008 as desktop/laptop OS:
4 Pingbacks to Windows Server 2008 as desktop/laptop OS:
-
2008-03-05 20:59:59...chive/2008/02/11/using-windows-server-2008-as-a-super-desktop-os.aspx" target="_blank">here and here.
If you don -
2008-04-18 09:49:30...1-17% faster than Vista SP1, running a couple of benchmarks which test typical client applications. Christian Mohn concurs:
Windows Server 2008 performs better, even with the Aero features enabled, than Vista ever did on t... -
2008-04-21 12:56:19...ver 2008 ? risultato pi? veloce dell?11-17% rispetto Windows Vista SP1.
L?articolo di Christian Mohn (System Administrator) ? meno tecnico, sono le sue considerazioni dopo aver concluso l?insta... -
2008-04-23 13:52:30... that probably falls at the graphics driver?s feet. The second article that caught my eye was Christian Mohn?s in which he explained his experience using Windows 2008 Server as a desktop OS.
From Christian Mohn...
2008-02-20 02:19:37
What are the specs of your thinkpad? we're running identical thinkpad T61 (tablets) with 1.8ghz procs and 2gb ram, with vista 32 bit..
performance is .. ok, even with SP1 (I couldn't tell any difference between SP1 not being installed). not as fast as I'd like, but not so slow that i'm hating it. this was a very good read, I think I may give it shot now on my personal testbed.
2008-02-20 10:14:00
@Rick: I've got a 15" T60 Core 2 Duo 2 Ghz with 2GB ram.
2008-02-20 20:19:24
OH MAN I AM HOT TO TRY THIS!
I mean, uh, this is very intriguing. Indeed.
My new T61 is sitting on my desk. It makes me feel all funny inside.
2008-02-20 21:25:56
What's the memory usage, with and without Aero? (still trying to put together test computer to try this myself).
And have you had any experience with in place upgrades yet?
2008-02-20 23:10:39
@Rick: I haven't looked at memory usage with/without Aero. I did stick in a new memory module in my laptop today though, so now it's a 3GB instead. I might do some memory comparisons tomorrow, time permitting.
I didn't do an in place upgrade, since XP isn't exactly the upgrade path for a server OS. I will be doing in place upgrades of servers at work though, and I'll make sure to post something when I've done that as well.
2008-02-21 02:08:05
Excellent, I'lll look forward to it. I now have an older Dell Powervault 745N that I'll be testing this on (P4, 2.8ghz w/HT on, 1gb ram, CERC SATA 1.5/6 channel raid controller).
I'm going to try an in place upgrade on this first, just to note how it goes (driver wise, it's not running any services right now), before I do a clean install.
I'm just worried that 1gb of RAM may not be enough, for an eventual production server.
Also, will you be testing it in a virtual environment as well?
2008-02-21 06:38:37
Okay, I unpacked the laptop and played with it some... now it's time to figure out how to dual-boot linux and windows. However, I am on the MSDN site and I don't know whether to get the Hyper-V edition or the regular. I'm going to build out the laptop and eventually my desktop to each run host operating systems and then a pile of virtual systems (for development), so do I go with the Hyper-V to start? I might as well download both images. If you see me online we should chat about this, 'cause I feel that I could use a little hand holding while being re-inducted into the Microsoft fold.
2008-02-21 08:59:08
@Jesse: Somehow I doubt that you will be using Hyper-V for your virtualization needs, as you are probably going to need to move the VMs around between Windows and Linux, no? If so, you need VMWare Server.
Hyper-V might be fun for you to play around with and test though, and Hyper-V is just another "feature" you add in Windows 2008 Server Enterprise.
2008-02-21 15:20:16
Like I said, I'm downloading both versions from MSDN. Which did you use, Server 2008 or Server 2008 without Hyper-V?
2008-02-21 15:23:18
@Jesse: I'm running Enterprise 64.
2008-02-23 03:01:41
While I didn't time the installation, it did go by very fast, much faster then my last XP installation. I ended up dual booting my workstation (Asus A*N32-SLI Deluxe, AMD Athlon x64 3700, 2gb ram, 2*7800GT in SLI, ATI Radeon 9200 - for the 2nd screen, and 4 hard drives).
While the initial memory footprint (for me it was around 450 megabytes) leaves a lot to be desired, over all I'm really, *really* liking it.
This was the 32 bit Standard version with Hyper-V.
Time to download drivers, and install AutoCAD.
2008-02-25 23:20:10
So I was originally disappointed that in Vista I didn't get the pretty alt-tab window that I'd seen in pre-release screenshots... but now you have one of it on Server 2k8.
Am I just missing something? I assumed if it wasn't present on the initially configured theme, that it had been cut...
2008-02-26 02:17:14
While I haven't had a chance to really sit down and play with it, I must say I was a bit surprised to see that I could enable SLI - I'm very tempted to try some gaming on it (just for kicks).
Unfortunately, neither Vista nor Server 2008 support my PCI based Radeon 9200 - so no dual screen action yet. Vista support (and I'm assuming Server 2008) for Radeon cards go back only as far as the 9500.
What alt-tab window are you talking about?
2008-02-27 21:50:10
As a laptop user i used to use 'offline files' on my vista, but i can't get it up and running on the server 2008, found the 'offline files' services but are unable to enable it.
any suggestions on how to solve this?
2008-02-27 22:25:17
@Adam: Thats interesting, I normally use that for my work home folder too, but I haven't tried setting it up on the Server 2008 install yet. I'll try that when I'm back at the office though.
2008-03-04 19:37:00
You are referring to windows key + tab... not alt-tab.
2008-03-05 20:59:59
...chive/2008/02/11/using-windows-server-2008-as-a-super-desktop-os.aspx" target="_blank">here and here.
If you don
2008-03-20 04:40:41
Offline files in 2k8
1. By default, 2k8 does not seem to create the C:\Windows\CSC folder, but all the other needed components are installed. If you do not have this folder, just create it manually before proceeding further.
2. Create/edit the following registry keys:
Key: KLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CscService\Start
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 2
Key: KLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Start
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
Key: KLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Parameters\FormatDatabase
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
Key: KLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Parameters\CacheLocation
Type: REG_SZ
Value: \??\c:\Windows\csc (yes, with the weird looking question mark stuff)
Note: The \Parameters key above may not exist, you will have to create it if it doesn't.
3. Reboot and offline files should be functional.
2008-03-28 17:08:54
Any luck installing bluetooth?
2008-04-18 09:49:30
...1-17% faster than Vista SP1, running a couple of benchmarks which test typical client applications. Christian Mohn concurs:
Windows Server 2008 performs better, even with the Aero features enabled, than Vista ever did on t...
2008-04-21 12:56:19
...ver 2008 ? risultato pi? veloce dell?11-17% rispetto Windows Vista SP1.
L?articolo di Christian Mohn (System Administrator) ? meno tecnico, sono le sue considerazioni dopo aver concluso l?insta...
2008-04-23 13:52:30
... that probably falls at the graphics driver?s feet. The second article that caught my eye was Christian Mohn?s in which he explained his experience using Windows 2008 Server as a desktop OS.
From Christian Mohn...
2008-04-24 23:05:59
Hi!
I`ve also installed Windows Server 2008 on my T60 laptop, and everything works fine except bluetooth, which I`m unable to install the driver for.
Anyone got any luck regarding this?
2008-04-24 23:15:26
Here is the answer to get bluetooth working: Fn + F5 :)
2008-04-26 20:50:45
has anyone had success with getting the bluetooth drivers working? They are enabled in the FN + F5 but have 3 devices showing as unknown in DM even with the thinkpad driver download and also tried the WIDCOMM drivers.
thanks for the original overview of 2008 on the T60. I am anxious to get a clean bill of health in the DM.
2008-04-27 08:54:47
has anyone been able to install Windows Live Services ? like Messenger?