Dell Precision M4400 compatible with Win2k Pro?

Hi, Im now (unfortunately) at a Xp laptop, so will try your suggestion later at home. Bellow I'll try to explain again what I'm referring to.

If you open the windows explorer (classic folders), and look at the left side pane where you can see all the drives, my computer, my documents, recycle bin, etc. If you move your mouse pointer over any of those elements, a blue underline shows up, indicating it is a link. It is very similar effect to that infamous "active desktop" that first came out with win98. The right side pane does to have this effect and behaves in a normal way (single click to select, double-click to open, no blue underline on mouseOver).

In my win2k explorer, the left side pane elements do not show that blue underline when moused over, and I much rather have it behave this way (just want to get rid of that blue underline on mouseOver).

 

The feature is the same in XP. You can turn it off there as well, same location. You can also turn off all the visual theme features in XP (System Properties -> Advanced -> Performance -> "Adjust for best performance"), as well as the couple of additional services it has over 2K to improve performance. Once you turn off these features, it looks and behaves the same as server 2003. There are some great optimization guides out there, I recommend taking a look.

 

Yes it worked on this XP, and I will do it on the w2k3 system tonight.
Thanks!

 

Hi Enduct, et all...

I went to this link you provided a few days earlier, and downloaded the "Win 2003 Optimize Tool" at that site. By using the Download Latest Binary link at the bottom I received a file named "Win2003v146.exe"

Before using it I ran it through the Jotti site and got a positive with Ikarus which identified the file being infected with Trojan-Spy.Win32.Bancos.u

Jotti Viruscan site:
http://virusscan.jotti.org/

Not sure if this might be a false positive, but just in case wanted to put out the word. I tried several times and always got the same result. Or maybe these guys just put out a new version that IS really infected.

 

Pretty sure it is false. You can use another virusscan to confirm. I'm not getting any positives with avast or symantec.

 

OK I'll give it a try. After all this is only my w2k3 testbed anyway.

BTW, finally got hold of Sygate Personal Firewall v5 build 1175, which is one of the firewalls that reportedly do work under w2k3. It seems to work fine, had to give permissions to all programs that need net access. Only had a problem with CuteFTP, but after trying a bunch of advanced rules without success, finally solved it by checking the Enable Firewall Access option in CuteFTP. Still need to reg Sygate to get rid of the nag screen.

Wish I could find Zonealarm Pro 3.7.159 which is much nicer then Sygate, and is also on the compatible firewall list. But so far no luck, all links I've found to it are dead. I was actually using v3.7.098 on my win2k system, but I confirmed that it does not work on w2k3. Darn, missed the right version by just one release.

The w2k3 compatible firewall and AV list:
http://www.msfn.org/win2k3/misc.htm

 

Question: The Windows 2003 Server R2 Standard install set has two CDs. So far I've only used the first one. Is it necessary to also run the second CD at all if I'm going to use W2k3 only as a workstation system?

I understand the second CD updates only server components, which I most probably don't need or even use. Anyone know for sure?

 

The CD is only server component addons and upgrades. If you are using it as a workstation, you never need to install it. Answered in this thread on reply #18.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3830044&postcount=18

From Microsoft W2K3 R2 FAQ, I have highlighted the added functionalities in R2:

Q. Why does Windows Server 2003 R2 require two CDs for installation?
A. Windows Server 2003 with SP1—a requirement for Windows Server 2003 R2—is on CD 1. CD 2 includes the Windows Server 2003 R2 features.

Q. What is Windows Server 2003 R2?
A. Built on Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1), R2 takes advantage of the stability and increased security of a proven code base while extending connectivity and control into new areas. With Windows Server 2003 R2, you get:
• Improved identity and access management across security-related boundaries. Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) provides improved total cost of ownership (TCO) and better security when collaborating with partners or deploying internet-facing Web applications.
• Improved branch office server management. The improved replication saves bandwidth and removes the need for backup in branches.
• Efficient storage setup and management. IT generalists can appreciate the simplified storage area network (SAN).

Q. Do I have to upgrade to Windows Server 2003 R2?
A. No. But if you are running Windows Server 2003 now, you should install Windows Server 2003 SP1 as soon as possible to receive all the improvements made in security-related areas, reliability, and performance.

Links:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/R2/R2FAQ.mspx