Thanks for the responses. Someone else has also pointed out to me that the driver base is the same although it is nice to have several people confirming the same thing. One last point regarding drivers and Windows 7, would it better to install the 64 bit version of Windows 7 or the 32 bit? I would assume the drivers for server are only going to be available in 64 bit and better supported these days anyway.
I haven't tried on a 210, but I have found that Windows 7 has an extensive driver database. With no RAID controller, it is very likely that Windows 7 will have most if not all the drivers. I'd say just give it a go and see what you get. If you run into any problems, let us know ... you can usually find any driver that might be missing.
Windows 7 uses the same kernel as Windows 2008 R2. So, if you decide to install that OS, you can just download the Windows 2008 R2 drivers from the Dell site and use those in Windows 7.
One note is that the Dell Server Installation tools (CD/DVD or the USC) most likely won't work with Windows 7 media, so you'll have to install the OS 'manually' (boot to the Windows 7 DVD and if it cannot find the harddrive, download the storage driver for 2008 R2 and provide that to the Windows 7 installation (e.g. by USB key).
That'll depend on your software and your needs. Personally I run 64-bit Windows on everything except my work computers (corporate image, but I believe a 64-bit image is in the works).
Not sure about the R210 but just for kicks, I installed Win7 Pro 64-bit on a R710 w/SAS 6/iR without any problems. Windows 7 recognized the onboard (LSI 1068E) controller and all other system components automatically.
Thanks for the responses. I have gone ahead and bought the R210 along with a retail copy of Windows 7 Pro.
I have tried both 32 and 64 bit versions and everything installed fine with no problems at all. I didn't need to load any additional drivers during setup either as the machine was a basic build with no RAID controllers or add-ons. Obviously some of the drivers could be updated but it all seems stable so far so I am going to leave it as is.
The graphics driver was not detected for the Maxtrox G200 so Windows switched to the standard VGA driver for that. I was able to find a driver for the 32 bit version but not the 64 bit. However even with the correct driver installed the graphics were still on the slow side so Aero and transparency effects have been turned off which has made a difference. As this is being accessed via remote desktop anyway I don't really want all the trimmings switched on :-)
As others have noted in other formums topics the fans are noisey in this machine. They are clearly capable of running at a lower speed than they idle at and there is very little heat from the machine. Hopefully Dell will resolve this with a firmware update. Luckily it is going in a server room so I won't have to listen to it. I tried using a desktop PC program called SpeedFan to see if that would help but it doesn't even detect the fan sensors so no luck there.
On a final note as other people have suggested the server mangement software and installation disc that came with the server are not useful for Windows 7.
I hope this information is helpful to anyone else considering this and thanks again for the feedback from others.
Matrox has drivers available at http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/drivers/previous/display/ for the M200 in Windows7. I have Windows 7 installed on an R210 without any problem. Seems I found the Matrox drivers from SuperMicro, but the link I gave has them direct from Matrox.
Hi, how's your finding running windows 7 on R210 Server?
I read some of the forums saying that Windows 7 only allow 10 TCP connections only. Have you ever tried if more than 10 users [different pc] connect to the server at the same time to request for files / web access / database?
LE4IT
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
May 17th, 2010 05:00
Thanks for the responses. Someone else has also pointed out to me that the driver base is the same although it is nice to have several people confirming the same thing. One last point regarding drivers and Windows 7, would it better to install the 64 bit version of Windows 7 or the 32 bit? I would assume the drivers for server are only going to be available in 64 bit and better supported these days anyway.
Thanks.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
1
May 14th, 2010 06:00
I haven't tried on a 210, but I have found that Windows 7 has an extensive driver database. With no RAID controller, it is very likely that Windows 7 will have most if not all the drivers. I'd say just give it a go and see what you get. If you run into any problems, let us know ... you can usually find any driver that might be missing.
Dev Mgr
4 Operator
•
9.3K Posts
1
May 14th, 2010 08:00
Windows 7 uses the same kernel as Windows 2008 R2. So, if you decide to install that OS, you can just download the Windows 2008 R2 drivers from the Dell site and use those in Windows 7.
One note is that the Dell Server Installation tools (CD/DVD or the USC) most likely won't work with Windows 7 media, so you'll have to install the OS 'manually' (boot to the Windows 7 DVD and if it cannot find the harddrive, download the storage driver for 2008 R2 and provide that to the Windows 7 installation (e.g. by USB key).
Dev Mgr
4 Operator
•
9.3K Posts
0
May 17th, 2010 13:00
That'll depend on your software and your needs. Personally I run 64-bit Windows on everything except my work computers (corporate image, but I believe a 64-bit image is in the works).
proxy123
3 Posts
0
June 6th, 2010 02:00
Not sure about the R210 but just for kicks, I installed Win7 Pro 64-bit on a R710 w/SAS 6/iR without any problems. Windows 7 recognized the onboard (LSI 1068E) controller and all other system components automatically.
LE4IT
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
1
June 7th, 2010 08:00
Thanks for the responses. I have gone ahead and bought the R210 along with a retail copy of Windows 7 Pro.
I have tried both 32 and 64 bit versions and everything installed fine with no problems at all. I didn't need to load any additional drivers during setup either as the machine was a basic build with no RAID controllers or add-ons. Obviously some of the drivers could be updated but it all seems stable so far so I am going to leave it as is.
The graphics driver was not detected for the Maxtrox G200 so Windows switched to the standard VGA driver for that. I was able to find a driver for the 32 bit version but not the 64 bit. However even with the correct driver installed the graphics were still on the slow side so Aero and transparency effects have been turned off which has made a difference. As this is being accessed via remote desktop anyway I don't really want all the trimmings switched on :-)
As others have noted in other formums topics the fans are noisey in this machine. They are clearly capable of running at a lower speed than they idle at and there is very little heat from the machine. Hopefully Dell will resolve this with a firmware update. Luckily it is going in a server room so I won't have to listen to it.
I tried using a desktop PC program called SpeedFan to see if that would help but it doesn't even detect the fan sensors so no luck there.
On a final note as other people have suggested the server mangement software and installation disc that came with the server are not useful for Windows 7.
I hope this information is helpful to anyone else considering this and thanks again for the feedback from others.
jgpnashville
1 Message
0
June 28th, 2011 20:00
Matrox has drivers available at http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/drivers/previous/display/ for the M200 in Windows7. I have Windows 7 installed on an R210 without any problem. Seems I found the Matrox drivers from SuperMicro, but the link I gave has them direct from Matrox.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
August 30th, 2012 22:00
Windows 7 allows 20 concurrent connections. Check the EULA using winver or check here:
www.microsoft.com/.../Default.aspx
More than 20 requires a Server OS.
panadol007
1 Message
0
August 30th, 2012 22:00
Hi, how's your finding running windows 7 on R210 Server?
I read some of the forums saying that Windows 7 only allow 10 TCP connections only. Have you ever tried if more than 10 users [different pc] connect to the server at the same time to request for files / web access / database?
wilson.waters
2 Posts
0
February 11th, 2013 23:00
Thought I'd update this post with my experience with Windows 8 and the R210ii.
Windows 8 Pro installs and runs perfectly. We only access the machine over remote desktop so I can't comment on the video drivers.
BUT! It seems there is currently no legal way to get windows 8 on the machine as Microsoft do not sell Retail versions of Win8. The options are
Miles Wolbe
1 Message
0
December 24th, 2013 01:00
Hi Wilson,
Amazon currently offers a full version of Windows 8.1 Pro for $177.02.
(The System Builder version is about $50 less. More information from Microsoft on the Personal Use License for System Builder versions.)
Aloha,
Miles
wilson.waters
2 Posts
0
December 24th, 2013 06:00
Aloha!
Great. Looks like this is also on the Microsoft online store. Strange that it took so long for a retail version to become available.