DaveH

Microsoft on April 24th unveils it's newest enterprise class operating system Windows Server 2003 and it's various member products. But what are the differences between this and Windows 2000, and why do you want to upgrade? Well, I'm going to try to cover the noticible differences between the pair and why Windows Server 2003 just makes more sense. [Installation] Windows Server 2003 products with the exception of the Web Server brand support Remote Installation and Remote Installation Services (RIS) by default. What is remote installation and why do you want it? Well, Remote Installation Services (RIS) made it's debut in the Windows 2000 Server family many moons ago, it was a process that was somewhat lumbering, did not work totally well or at all for that matter. "RIS" allows adminstrators to copy the i386 directory along with any additional software they like into a directory, for our purposes, this will be W2003S/ afterwards, we boot from a "network client" which basically means something like DOS NDIS drivers and begin our network installation. [Administration] In the previous days, setting up a mail server was among one of the HARDEST things to do. Now; Microsoft has removed ALL the guess work from deploying your server as a mail/print/file-server with "Server Roles Wizard" now you can simply click and type the details of your server. Available Server "Roles" File server , Print server , Application server, Mail server, Remote access, Domain controller, DNS server, DHCP server, Streaming media server , WINS server. Now, more than ever it is important to edit more than one group policy object or user account at a time, now you can CTRL+Click as many users/policies as you like and you can edit them all at the same time. Also, I might note that you can use multiple server roles together, it's not restricted to just ONE role. Another key improvement is that II6 is not installed by default, nor will it be inheirently installed without the user/adminstrators knowledge, which is good, because IIS is scary and kills everyone. Group Policy Modeling is a new addition to the Group Policy Management Console or GPMC and allows you to test out a policy before you deploy it. Windows Server Windows Server 2003 HomePage

When you work for Microsoft, the only thing you have to hold onto is not your dignity but your lousy signature to make you look important.

sorry it got a little screwed up, i used a 3rd party thing to convert it to jpeg and it really messed up, but you get the idea...

Letter removed due to problems

Same here, check the picture of my office

Hmmmm....buy sprint/microsoft phones

What exactly makes a cd-key become required? Glad you asked...it's actually quite stupid if you think about it. The cdkey switch is stored in a file called setupp.ini in PLAINTEXT which is either stupid, or arrogant, you come to your own conclusion. Here's what your file *SHOULD* contain to remove the CDkey requirement during installation. [Pid] ExtraData=786F687170637175716954806365EF Pid=69713270 Voila! BUT PLEASE, put your key in AFTER you install!

As is probably mentioned in some README or TXT file, WindowsXP was not meant to be used as a server, nor does it contain the proper "attire" to do so. Link:Windows Server 2003 Family

All people who are Office Systems 2003 Beta Tester are free to post their comments and experiences via the provided NewsGroups/WebNews accounts available to them. Please make good use of them and do not post bugs here as they are sometimes sensitive or could potentially be a threat to others. Microsoft BetaPlace Login Microsoft Beta News on the web

Who knows anymore

I sed cheeze, not cookies!

Don't drop your cookies now

Yes, I gave him cheese and he gave me 100 posts huzzah for cheese man!

Microsoft is continuing to try to push its Windows Small Business Server 2000 product, clearing the way for SBS 2003, which is due in the third quarter of this year. On top of its existing SBS 2000 rebate program, Microsoft is authorizing resellers to offer volume customers SBS 20000 plus a Software Assurance licensing contract for an additional $99, starting May 1. Microsoft says this will save users $550, while guaranteeing them all SBS upgrades for two years. Source:Microsoft Partner Incentives

From time to time malicious individuals circulate e-mails that purport to be a Microsoft Security Bulletin or Patch. Some of the emails direct the reader to download an executable file from a web site- while others include an executable file which contains a virus. Customers who receive such an email should delete it, and under no circumstances should they download or run the executable. Some of the emails claim to be a security patch for Windows or Internet Explorer, others are more generic. There are several clues which indicate that the e-mails aren’t a bona fide security bulletin or patch: The e-mail isn't signed using the Microsoft Security Response Center’s digital signature. The Microsoft Security Response Center always signs its bulletins before mailing them, and you can verify the signature using the key we publish at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/...etin/notify.asp. If you are ever in doubt about the authenticity of a bulletin mailer you’ve received, consult the web-hosted bulletins on the Microsoft Security web site – the versions there are the authoritative source for information on Microsoft Security Bulletins. The e-mail contains a patch. Authentic security bulletin mailers never provide the patch itself or a link to the patch; instead, they refer the reader to the complete version of the bulletin on our web site, which provides a link to the patch. More information on the Microsoft policy on software distribution is available at: http://microsoft.com/technet/security/poli...licy/swdist.asp The "patch" contained in the bogus bulletin isn't digitally signed by Microsoft. Microsoft always digitally signs the patches it releases. Always be sure you check the signature of any executable before installing it on your system. Microsoft urges customers to always verify any mail that claims to be a Microsoft security bulletin by using the steps described above and by always checking the Microsoft Web site for the definitive source of information on Microsoft Security Bulletins: More Information on viruses and anti-virus software is available at: How to help protect your computer from viruses: http://microsoft.com/security/articles/rem...ies_viruses.asp Antivirus software: http://microsoft.com/security/articles/antivirus.asp