Downgrading frustrations

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I wrote awhile back about a client/[sigh] friend who wanted to 'experiment' with Server 2003.

He didn't 'need' it but we solved the early problems (it wouldn't shut down and we had to 'find' some drivers).

Well, I was right – He doesn't 'need' it as a server. Not the "end of story".

Now he would like to use it as his on his desk or take it home. His box is similar to mine (duh?!) an '04 Dell w/ a P-4 and half a gig of ram.

I am not certified in any fashion. I am more than able with my XP and W2K and have done some serious tweaking on both.

I found a wealth of info about 'converting' the server into a workstation? And it seemed I would only have to implement a handful of steps – (audio and video enablements to use some apps, + he wanted to use themes...Well I used the guidelines at:
http://www.visualwin.com/ (he's an MVP!).

Actually I took the damn thing home – it was easier to do it on my own time and compare to XP running beside it...

So!? I think I have Mr. Maltz's configs in place. In short order, I've done the following:

Setting up the usage of Luna and other themes on Windows Server 2003, step-by-step (unsupported)
Setting up the usage of DirectX and graphics acceleration on Windows Server 2003, step-by-step
Disabling the Shut Down Tracker
Not Requiring Ctrl-ALT-DEL at logon
Disabling Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration

I found essentially the same info at www.msfn.org.

The problem? It doesn't seem to be stable at all. I expected the opposite! I have thousands of hours behind W2k and was reluctant to use XP Pro that came with my new box – but it's pretty solid.

The Server 2003 seems to be both slow and a bit fragile. I have been in the middle of doing nothing much at all and it bllinks out. No blue screen, it just reboots. Plus, there is no indication 'why' in the .msc logs. A couple of times it asked for a chkdsk...that's all.

Plus, simple things like fetching mail or getting a web site take longer as do most operations. I've set the accelerations to the highest level – I figure a P-4 W/half a gig of ram and a nice Inetel setup should have no problem with audio or video.

But, it is clearly is not as stable or as 'fast' as my XP or the old 2K?

I ran sfc/scannow to make sure original files handn't been screwed up by me.

So?  I'm ready to conclude that
1. It can't be run as a 'desktop' or
2. I'm missing something in my application of the above 'adjustments'.

(Why is themes a risk?) It that the problem?  He can do without that..

Or, is he kidding himself (with my help)?

It the Server built for one purpose and can't 'compete' in seemingly more simple functions. Is it so specialized in one area that the fundementals don't allow for adapatation to more simple tasks?

Actually I was surprised! I thought once I 'removed' the server specialized functions it would outperform my XP & 2K.

Am I beating a dead horse? Am I not going to turn this machine into a box that will run general apps 'at least as well' as XP [Pro]? My guess was that it would be more stable/faster (once we applied normal configs/removed the server functions) .

Am I missing something or is this OS simply a thoroughbred and isn't going to pull a plow!?

Part of me thinks: “This OS is so sophisticated, it should run rings around XP.”

Then I wonder: “No, it's was designed for one use and it can't adapt to another function (however 'simple' that may 'seem')”

Should I walk away from this, is it not doable? – Or can I provide him with a 'better' OS than XP...If I figure out what to 'do'?

It isn't the $'s – he's written that off and has spent more on less worthy ideas.

But if he has an OS that is better than XP, I'd like to find a way for him to exploit that.

Thanks, I'm willing to see this to the end. But if he's got something I can't 'fix', I can walk away.
.

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