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Can I install Windows Vista Ultimate on a PowerEdge T100 system?
Hi,
I want to install Windows Vista Ultimate on a Dell PowerEdge T100 system. The documentation does not list this OS as what is supported by the hardware. Can I still install it - what limitations will I run into if I do so?
We have very limited requirements in our office and manage with one shared folder on the server which everyone accesses, so enhanced Windows Server features aren't really required.
Thanks,
Sid
tommo666
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August 6th, 2009 07:00
If you have less than 10 users check out windows home server. It's cheaper than Vista ultimate and will install on a T100. It has several benefits for small businesses.
You can buy pre-built systems or just the media and do-it-yourself. Info here:
siliconpi
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August 6th, 2009 12:00
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply. I actually have a copy of Windows Ultimate with me, hence I'm wondering whether I can use it.
Thanks,
Sid
tommo666
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August 8th, 2009 07:00
It shouldn't be a problem. You may have search for vista drivers for the chipset, nic and graphics etc, as these won't be on any of the cd's that came with the server.
siliconpi
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August 18th, 2009 09:00
Mistakenly started posting under another thread - copy-pasting from there to here. Summary till now: Unable to get network drivers working under Windows Vista Ultimate.
(there: http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19257686/19537330.aspx)
Previous post (Author: me):
I have Windows Ultimate on a T100.
I looked for the drivers as you suggested, and found this - http://www.broadcom.com/support/ethernet_nic/netxtreme_server.php - however the driver listed there did NOT work. Windows (Vista) Ultimate failed to even recognize it.
Previous post (Author: me):
This did not work either:
http://support.dell.com/ -> PowerEdge T100 -> OS = Windows Server 2003
Broadcom - Driver
Applies to:
NetXtreme Family of Adapters
NetXtreme II Family of Adapters
4/10/2009 12.8.0, A01
20439839 19 MB 2957 3 5 302311 0 R213684 Broadcom - Driver /support/topics/global.aspx/support/downloads/en/downloads_splash?c=us&cs=08W&l=en&s=bsdv&~mode=popup&file=302311 http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=08W&l=en&s=bsdv&deviceid=2957&libid=5&releaseid=R213684&vercnt=3&formatcnt=0&SystemID=pwe_t100&servicetag=992TJK1&os=WNET&osl=en&catid=-1&impid=-1 2
The direct download link was: ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/network/Bcom_LAN_12.8_W2K3_8_A01.exe
siliconpi
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August 18th, 2009 10:00
Progress!!
I'm not sure if installing the below mentioned driver did it, but I went into My Computer -> Manage -> Device Manager -> Network Drivers, selected the Ethernet Adapter there and forced it to use the following driver:
Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller
It gave one warning - as is typical, but no problems after that! Was able to connect to the network and the internet without issue.
The driver that I *did* install was the following (note that I DON'T know if it had any part to play in the success above):
http://www.broadcom.com/support/ethernet_nic/netxtremeii.php
-->
8MB
This driver DOES install fine despite the file name being W2k3*something*.zip.
rmerts
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August 24th, 2009 00:00
You can install Vista Ultimate but remember Vista is nearly the same as 2008, not 2003 server. Also remember that you don't get a lot of support if you have issues with this configuration because that OS is not validated or supported on the T100 hardware. You may have to dismiss some "driver not validated" errors and warnings during the driver install process but it should be possible.
Have you considered using SBS server 2003 or SBS 2008?
Ron
RCisco
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July 6th, 2014 13:00
I have also tried Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows 7 Enterprise edition on T100. The drivers are loaded automatically, but my T100 became very unstable.
The system would freeze after a few hours of operation on both OS's. So bad, that I could not use the T100 as a Vista (or Windows 7) machine.
Workaround: I installed Windows 2008 R2 SP1, and added the Desktop Experience plus a PCI sound card.
Now, T100 is very, very stable.
As the old saying goes, "if you want the sea, you have to go to the beach. Don't try to bring the sea to you."
Hope this helps.