John Bartow
john at winhaven.net
Thu Dec 2 11:08:26 CST 2004
Jon, Thanks for that comment - I forgot to mention (for Andy's sake) that 2 of the workstations in the first mentioned W2k3 network were WXPHomeEd (!) While they could use the server without problems I downgraded them to W2Kpro XP-HE just does not belong in a business and I got a perfect excuse to do so because a new software package they were using did not support XP. As far as the issue with this other network - I'm still working on it. Downgrading is sometimes just putting off the problem :o) I'm in the process of tweaking the DSclient registry settings but have not found the magical tweak just yet. They don't have a W2k workstation there so I can't say - positively - that that will solve any problems - only theoretically. I am considering setting up a temporary loaner workstation there just to check it out. John B. -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Jon Tydda Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 10:35 AM To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues' Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Server versions John, you can "downgrade" to W2K on a WXP licence with no problems, it might be worth considering for this non-profit organisation. Jon -----Original Message----- From: John Bartow [mailto:john at winhaven.net] Sent: 02 December 2004 16:08 To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues Subject: RE: [dba-Tech] Server versions Hi Andy, I have a few 2003 servers on clients sites. One network with <20 users and no windows domain/AD. W2k3 Server basically functions as file/print server (it does a few other mundane tasks) Works like a charm! Have never had issue with it since Jan 04. Clients include W98se, W2k, WXP. Since that went sooo smooth I recently installed W2k3 Server in another office - IT is a veritable nightmare. A network with <20 users and W2k3 is Primary Domain Controller PDC, file server/print server replacing a very old, slow, on its last legs NT4 server which was doing the same. Clients include WME, WXP. First off, the migration tools were a joke. Nothing worked and when it came down to troubleshooting them I decided the time spent would be better off just starting from scratch. So don't be fooled into thinking a NT4 to W2k3 migration will work (or at least be easy) Basically the WME workstations cannot login reliably. About half the time they try to login they get an error that they cannot be authenticated. The only thing that seems to work (and I know, this makes NO SENSE considering they just booted up) they have to shut down and restart, then they can log in. Because these PCs had a history belonging to a NT4 domain I reloaded ME from scratch on one of these to see if it made a difference and it did not. XP never has a problem validating but the login is veryyyy slow. It takes about two minutes to authenticate. The new XP user work flow: boot up - get coffee, type password - get coffee, caffeine buzzed - start working! ;o) I have discussed this with network engineers and they have no solutions. Of course with WME they just shake their heads and mumble "Many Errors". But this a non-profit that can't go out and just replace all their ME PCs or even upgrade them all to XP (which of course would be slow logging in). They claim XP is validating as a Guest even though the user is a domain client - they say its something Microsoft did with XP. I haven't been able to find anything that resolves either of these issues. Oh how I wish I had went with W2k The Network Engineers I've talked to advise sticking with W2k server and clients. W2k3 server is good if your not going to use it as a PDC and if its not going to part of an W2k server Active Directory Domain. They say W2k3 will try to take over the AD. Well there's my 2 cents and a lot of beef :o) John B. -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Andy Lacey Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 4:35 AM To: Dba Tech Subject: [dba-Tech] Server versions Dear all Your advice is sought. If a customer was thinking of upgrading from NT4 Server would the consensus of opinion be to go to W2003 Server or W2000 Server? I ask because he has a mix of W98 and W2K clients so is familiar with W2K and is therefore drawn to W2K Server (still just about available to buy). But it will no doubt have a shorter life than W2003 Server. So that is one point in W2003 Server's favour, but what are the other pros and cons? -- Andy Lacey http://www.minstersystems.co.uk ________________________________________________ Message sent using UebiMiau 2.7.2 _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com The information in this e-mail is confidential and may also be legally privileged. The contents are intended for recipient only and are subject to the legal notice available on request from : webmaster at alcontrol.co.uk ALcontrol Laboratories is a trading division of ALcontrol UK Limited. Registered Office: Templeborough House, Mill Close, Rotherham, S60 1BZ. 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