Run Windows 8.1 Enterprise on PowerEdge 2950?

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by JBenal, Aug 7, 2016.

  1. JBenal

    JBenal MDL Senior Member

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    #1 JBenal, Aug 7, 2016
    I searched the forums and didn't see an answer to this question. Can you run Win 8.1 Enterprise on a Dell PowerEdge 2950? I'll be getting one free and don't want to mess with the complexities of Windows Server. It will be used for simple file sharing.
     
  2. ofernandofilo

    ofernandofilo MDL Member

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    #2 ofernandofilo, Aug 7, 2016
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2016
    Sure. Your only need is to find drivers for that.

    But you always can use Server or Workstation OS in Server or Workstation machines. No trouble at all.

    cheers
     
  3. HrVr000

    HrVr000 MDL Novice

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    #3 HrVr000, Aug 7, 2016
    I think you can install windows 8.1 on that server but not sure about all drivers, probably drivers from windows server 8 will do for 8.1 they are not to much diffirent.
    but anyway is it not simpler install Ubuntu (14.... , 15....,16...) and instal Samba file server and you dont need worry about drivers.... and is not dificult to configure samba
     
  4. JBenal

    JBenal MDL Senior Member

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    #4 JBenal, Aug 9, 2016 (OP)
    Good idea. I do need to run one Windows application full time, but I could run it in a VM.
     
  5. bpwnes

    bpwnes MDL Member

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    #5 bpwnes, Aug 9, 2016
    The PE 2950 has an ATI ES1000 graphics chip in it. You won't be able to find drivers for it. I've spent lots of time trying to find ones so I can run 2012 R2 on resolutions higher than 1280x1024. Other than that it will work fine.
     
  6. JBenal

    JBenal MDL Senior Member

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    #6 JBenal, Aug 11, 2016 (OP)
    Thanks. I'll be running it headless and connecting with RDP. Getting it tomorrow! :D
     
  7. Threat

    Threat Lord of the Files

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    #7 Threat, Aug 11, 2016
    I would still run Server 2012 R2 on it and enable Hyper-V (or as another posted suggested some Linux Distribution)

    Server 2012 will give you less headache with drivers and can be SLIC 2.3 modded.

    Servers don't have to be complicated. You don't need to use features your not using, so no need to be a domain controller etc.
     
  8. JBenal

    JBenal MDL Senior Member

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    #8 JBenal, Aug 11, 2016 (OP)
    The person who's giving it to me said it has VMWare vSphere (esxi?) on it now. I will probably play that a while and see about installing different OS's on it. My only concern would be that if I install Windows in a VM it would have to have access to the USB ports - or at least to one.
     
  9. JBenal

    JBenal MDL Senior Member

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    #9 JBenal, Aug 14, 2016 (OP)
    Got the server, no vSphere - no problem! Win 8.1 Ent installed great and, to my surprise, installed every device. I didn't have to hunt for drivers. Great box, but loud. I have it in a corner room on a carpeted floor - under a bed. It's running at around 100F temp, which I think is not bad.

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