Inspiron 700m / 710m and "Windows 2003 Server"

After much testing it appears that Dell has not made the Inspiron 700m compatible with Windows 2003 server. You will find that if you install Windows 2003 Server that it will freeze/lock up at about the "34 minutes left" mark. After several installations, I found that setting the intallation for a "Standard PC" (which effectively turns off ACPI capabilites) allows the installation to compelte and Windows 2003 Server operate. One of the drawbacks is that you loose the ability to turn off the PC with the power button as you could with XP.

To turn off ACPI
1. As soon as the GUI loads it gives you the option
to press F6 to load additional drivers. It is a
this point that you must press F5
(notice it is NOT F6).
2. When asked for computer option, choose STANDARD PC)

I am curious why Dell has not owned up to this issue and why they haven't created a post on how to overcome this. Notebook PCs are not just for the road anymore. In fact, more and more users are buying notebooks because they effectiveness is lasting longer than ever before.

Dell, please do something about this. Find a solution and post it. One option is to create a diskette that contains the drivers needed to include with the installation (that's the F6 option during install) so it can complete the install and allow full functionality.

Thank you in advance.

Luis Perez
Chief Technologist/Owner

ISHNETWORKS LLC
Billings, MT