I put WinXP Pro on a server

[ilya]

I have a DELL P400SC server. I got it becasue a friend of mine told me that it would be cheaper to get a server then a desktop. I use mainly for personal use. I installed Radeon 9800Pro video card and thought I would seem to enjoy. But ever since I had problems. Is it because I put winXP on a server instead of WIN2000 or WIN2003? Because most of the things and it did not work. The problems are that the system unexpectedly crashes, restarts, freeze. Most of the games don't work. even with the Radeon 9800Pro with the latest drivers. 3DMark03 locks up and my computer restarts after 6 seconds of running the game test.

[djnes]

A server is defined by the software it runs (applications) and what information is "served" to it's users. XP Pro should run just fine on that machine, as long as your using the right drivers.

I certainly wouldn't load it up to be a gaming machine, but for server tasks, it should do just fine. Those are Celeron machines, if I remember right.

Also, your friend was being as vague as possible by saying servers are cheaper than desktops. I'd fine more knowledgeable friends.

[The_Mage18]

I have a DELL P400SC server. I got it becasue a friend of mine told me that it would be cheaper to get a server then a desktop. I use mainly for personal use. I installed Radeon 9800Pro video card and thought I would seem to enjoy. But ever since I had problems. Is it because I put winXP on a server instead of WIN2000 or WIN2003? Because most of the things and it did not work. The problems are that the system unexpectedly crashes, restarts, freeze. Most of the games don't work. even with the Radeon 9800Pro with the latest drivers. 3DMark03 locks up and my computer restarts after 6 seconds of running the game test.
You most likely are going to need a BIOS update for the motherboard and any RAID cards/backplanes it has. It's rare if a server has all the necessary updated firmwares installed.

Servers are always much more expensive than their desktop counter-parts. Smack your friend, he's full of something and it isn't knowledge.

[Novensu]

If i remember correctly the AGP slot was not officially supported on the entry level servers. that may be the source of your problem, try the onboard video and see if the problem persists. The O/S in this case may be the problem, but it is not because it is on a server.


Novensu

[agent420]

I have this same system, got it a while back when Dell had a crazy deal going, I think I paid like $250 for a P4 3.2C. Although Dell classifies it as a server, it's really just a high end desktop. The mainboard is made by Intel based on thier 875P chipset. Like any Dell, you won't find any overclocking options, but this box is more stable than any other I've owned. It is certainly the quietiest system I've never heard. ;)

System came with 128mb ecc ddr ram, junked that for 1g of Crucial ddr400 set up as 2 x 512 to make use of the 875P's banked memory feature. Also junked the vanilla Ati video for a 9800 Pro.

Although the psu is only rated for 250W, it is claimed that it is manufactured by PC Power & Cooling, a well respected name. My system runs the P4 3.2, 9800 pro, 1g ram, 2 stata + 1 ide hd, dvd rw and a couple of other cards and never skips a beat. I use this box for a lot of 3dsmax rendering and played all the latest games and it never skips a beat.

I suspect your problems are either software conflicts or ram issues. It is generally known that the twin bank memory features of the 865 and 875 chipsets are sensitive to the quality of ram used. Since you can't overclock anyway, you should be using high quality over high speed ram. I have never had a problem with the Crucial stick in my box.

There's really nothing in the bios you have to do, other than set the primary video to agp.

Here's a good resource for these boxes:

http://www.aaltonen.us/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8

[ilya]

Thanks a lot. and thanks for the link. My system is 2.8gHz, 756 RAM (256 came preinstalled with the system and 512 ram I added . You wrote that you have Radeon9800 PRO? How does it run on your system? I looked at the link that you gave me and it said that the power supply is 250W, maybe that is the problem behind all the gaming problem.

[agent420]

...this box is more stable than any other I've owned....
Although the psu is only rated for 250W, it is claimed that it is manufactured by PC Power & Cooling, a well respected name. My system runs the P4 3.2, 9800 pro, 1g ram, 2 stata + 1 ide hd, dvd rw and a couple of other cards and never skips a beat. I use this box for a lot of 3dsmax rendering and played all the latest games and it never skips a beat.Like I said. Power is not your problem.

[agent420]

756 RAM (256 came preinstalled with the system and 512 ram I addedMake sure all your ram is the same type. Marketed as a server, these systems come with ECC ram (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ram3.htm). You may experience problems if you add conventional non-ecc ram, especially as the 875 chipsets are sensitive to the type of memory used to begin with.

[The_Mage18]

Make sure all your ram is the same type. Marketed as a server, these systems come with ECC ram (http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ram3.htm). You may experience problems if you add conventional non-ecc ram, especially as the 875 chipsets are sensitive to the type of memory used to begin with.

Hehe... Never thought of that but you have a valid point. That's probably the issue. Good call agent420

[ilya]

I installed MBM5 the software that shows the temperature of the motherboard. And my average temp is 110!!! So i'm thinking that the problem is with overheating. But even though, I tried playing games such as NFSU2 and it worked perfectly.