chrbb Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 Silly question probably but.... now new server with newly purchased server 2300 64bit up and running, I want to use the old server (it's basically a desktop computer with 2 harddrives) as a classroom computer to replace god awful w98 p11 computer. How do I get legitimate os for it, as cheaply as possible, as ever! Is there an upgrade or downgrade route for server 2003? Or could I even demote it from dc or reinstall and just run it with server 2003 on? I've also got a spare computer with 2000 pro that I want to use in the same way.
FN-GM Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 If you just re-install the current OS you will be fine. If it is Windows Server 2003 or 2000 you can use it as a normal client.
Michael Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 Even if you did get a legitimate operating system to install, you're going to have to format as there's no upgrade/downgrade route from a server OS to a desktop OS. Alternatively (as you say), you could re-install 2003 server and have it connect to the domain as a member server, which sort of acts "workstation like", but ideally XP would probably be better. You can buy educational rate licenses either from your Local Authority or local software supplier.
webman Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 If licence cost is an issue, you could always run Edubuntu for free.
FN-GM Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 But if the computer has being running as a server wouldn't it already have a licence? What licence type is it? If its OEM you might as well use what was already running.
chrbb Posted November 9, 2007 Author Posted November 9, 2007 It's not oem, I may as well install it on the spare hardrive and keep the original intact as a just in case the new server goes belly up! I've just looked at edubuntu, does it join a windows domain and can you use already purchased school software on it? Sorry digressing now.
FN-GM Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 You can use Samba with Edubuntu and then you can add it to a domain. You could also look at SUSE Linux that has it integrated so you don't need to install Samba if you don't know much about Linux. I would use SUSE 10.2 not 10.3. As for running Windows software you could try Wine
chrbb Posted November 9, 2007 Author Posted November 9, 2007 Think I'll stick to windows - OFSTED returning in early Dec! Need it up and running by next Thurs.
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