Poweredge 850 OS

Please let me know if you made any progress on this issue.  I just purchased a PowerEdge 850 to replace a PC running Windows XP Professional as license server for CAD software.  I never even thought about it being unable to run Windows XP.  Needless to say, I'm extremely disappointed and not sure what to do.  Dell support informs me that it is not a valid operating system.  I've been working with this stuff for over 20 years and I just don't understand why the most dominate OS would not be supported, but it "requires a validated server-class operating system"

Somebody help me!  Thanks.

I just received my Poweredge 850's (won't be able to test for 2 weeks due to trip to Vegas) and I will be really pised at Dell if I can't use Windows 2000 and XP Pro.  I purchased 20 Poweredge 750s a year ago and I run a varrity of OSs, XP Pro, Windows 2000,  Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2003 Server.  I use them in a unique environment to support the Gov't/DOD and don't have desktop space so we use the rack mount 750's as client workstations.  Intend to do the same w/ the 850s since the 750 were not available.

If it's any help to you, on the 750's I am not using the Raid Contoller, I'm using the SATA controller, I boot from CD and install.  Actually had problems installing w/ the Raid Controller as during boot/install, the 750 did not recognize the external USB Floppy to install the Raid Drivers, so I switched to the SATA drives booted and installed 2000 and XP Pro w/out a problem and intend to do the same with 850s.

Yah, I'm with you, the 750's worked great.  I've ordered some 850's since the 750 has been discontinued.  XP pro will NOT go on.  Part way through the install, it screendumps and it's all over. 

I was able to intall Windows XP x64.  But I have some legacy software that hates the 64-bit OS.  So I'm stuck with some 850's that are essentially worthless. 

Bottom line, is Dell, help us out.  I've been on the phone and shared several emails with the corporate rep and they act like they've never heard of using a rackmount PC.  I told him there is a whole industrial niche that Dell is missing out on.  But I feel my plea's have fallen on deaf ears.  If anyone has a source on a nice rackmount PC post it here.  I need some bad.