Recommendations for a new server

First of all how much money can you invest?

Intel is currently the faster CPU, so you can't use the AMD of the emachines. Also, if you are going to use 8GB RAM, you will require at least either windows advanced server or better a 64 bit OS to be able to address all that RAM. 32 Bit OS's will only be able to address 4GB, and of that address space at least 500MB is used by the PC's System Hardware, so you can only use about 3.5GB RAM. Linux has better 64 bit support than Windows (many drivers for hardware isn't available for 64bit, this should be getting better with Vista, though).

Personally I'd build my PC myself, but it really doesn't matter, and if you get one that is already built you usually get additional software and hardware, which you wouldn't get when building yourself.

Rack mountable or Mini tower?

"<$1,000.00"
I don't really need "the fastest cpu". Except for the occassional programming and copiling and debugging to read my email, surf the web and wordprocessing I could still use a 386 cpu.
That is why I said I could use the 3800 from the eeMachine box.

That processor is a x64 2 core, I was allready planning on going 64 bit.
I really hate all of the "extras" included on most computers I do not know if I have ever used any of the freebies.

On the eMachines computer I bought last year it runs XP Media and came with 76 "additional products"
It literally takes over 4 hours to do a full reinstallation of the OS. (use Ctrl-F10 to by pass full install).

I could use Linux if there is a good simple server install, I am having problems with Ubuntu installing in a VMware virtual machine.

Thanks forthe replies hope there are more.

Ralph

What motherboard you get depends on the socket of the cpu - it has to match, if you want to reuse it.  If it's a socket 939, it will be difficult to find, since that has been superceded by the AM2 socket.  If you're starting from scratch, some of the best cpu performers are Intel Core2 Duo cpus, such as the E6750, which don't cost too much.  I would recommend a P965 motherboard like the Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 and not a server motherboard, as server motherboards tend to be spartan and short of features.  They are ok if you need a machine to be up 24 hours a day continuously, but I don't think you need that.

500GB hard drives are at the best value right now, and I like Seagate and Samsung for their reliability and quiet operation.

http://www.insight.com/site/product/detail/index.cfm?item_number=416772%2D001&searchLink=y&search_params=C%3DC%252DAA%26CN%3DDesktops%252FServers%26OS%3DY%26K%3Dhp%2520proliant%26KT%3DT%26SB%3Dplh%26PS%3D10%26P%3D10%26%26compare%5Fcategory%3Ddefault%26p%5Fsess%3Dcompare%255Fcategory&NugsTracking=Results_Full_Specs

Check this one an let me know if this is what you are looking for, it has RAID 0,1, and 5

Need to buy the Hard Drives

Cheers

Hey thanks alot. I realy appreciate your answer. Price is right :-)

Thanks to garycase that is the type answer I was looking for.
I was not wanting to have to do a lot of looking and comparing so I wanted some specific reccomendations which Gary gave me, thanks again.

I didn't get the exactreccomendations but stuck pretty close.
I went with NEWEGG whom I had used a couple of years ago to buy the forementioned powersupply and more memory for the eMachine box (anybody need some DDR2 533 1gbs memory).
Just for reference here is what I ordered (if anybody sees something I missed please yell).

Computer case:
        Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-TO5-UB Black/Blue SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower.
        (I could not go with the box Gary suggested as the USB and FireWire ports are on
        top and I allways have my KVM and mouse charging stand on top of the computer so I could not
        use the top USB ports without changing my methods (it probable would not have been a big deal).
Hardrives:
        2 WesternDigital Caviar SE 500GB
Memory:
        2 G.SKILL 4GB(2x2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM (PC2 8000).
Motherboard:
        GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX.
Processor:
        Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core

Geesch this was so confusing in looking at all of the varius components. I mean like I could chose from a hundred differeent computer cases. What gives? What could the possible advantage be from $20.00 to $250.00 I mean comeon how is a someone supposed to discern "the box" to get? To say nothing about the hundreds of processors even looking at neweggs processor help pages only made my head spin.

Thanks again to Gary, your answer made my choices simple, I varied a little but basically stuck with your suggestions just because there were so many choices you really played a key part in my purchasing decisions. Actually all that contributed played a part thanks to you to.

Ralph

Looks fine ... don't forget to install Boot-It :-)
... and "play" a bit with it so you understand Image Sets, BootNow!, and how to set up the boot items.   Once you get past the learning curve (not hard) it's a great utility for only $35.   You'll love how you can trivially image your system (with BootNow! and an Image Set);  how easy it is to boot to any other OS you want (again using BootNow!); and how you can have as many OS's as you want -- with every one in its own primary partition and completely isolated from the others.   The only caveat is that be sure you only create and delete partitions from within Boot-It => NOT with Disk Management in XP, Vista, etc.  [Boot-It maintains an Extended MBR that is what allows it to overcome the 4-primary partition limit ... if you use another partition manager to create/delete partitions then the EMBR info won't be correct]

Just for the record Boot-It is a pain.

Definately demands spending some time just getting started I would hope they are sending a bootable disk but if not this is really going to be pain full.

It requires a boot floppy, well new pc's do not come with floppies any longer so I need to take one out of a old box and put it in my current pc the one I am replacing so I'll have to do this twice.

There is a makedisk.exe that I would hope made a bootable cd but apparently it also does not like
x64 or at least it went through all of the steps but didn't write anything to the cd. I tried to run
BOOTTING.EXE in 32 bit XP-Pro and it could not find DISKIMG3.DAT in the same folder so that's a waste.

I really don't want to spend all of this time so I probable will pass for now.

Ralph

It does NOT require a boot floppy => it boots just fine from a CD.   If Makedisk isn't working well with your CD, just make an ISO, and then burn that with whatever burning application you use (Roxio, Nero, etc.).

Makedisk works fine in 32-bit XP Pro (run it MANY times), and in Vista Ultimate (both 32 and 64 bit).   Not sure what you did wrong, but it's VERY simple.   I'd download a new copy (just to be sure); extract it; run makedisk and create an ISO; and then burn a CD.   Then you just boot to the CD ... no floppy required.

... in addition, if you have a boot floppy, once you boot ONE time with it it will install to your hard drive and you'll never need the boot floppy again :-)   Although as I noted earlier, "... I'd add a floppy drive ($10 => and still worth having for the rare times you might need it)"   First time you have a bad BIOS flash and need a recovery floppy you'll be glad you have it :-)

... there IS a bit of a learning curve in using Boot-It => but it's not difficult.   You should watch a few of the tutorials here:
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootit-next-generation-tutorials.htm

Hi Gary, thanks for the reply. I just have to slow down and follow through.
The Boot CD actually got made but nothing appears on it in windows file exporer so not seeing
anything on the cd (after following all of the steps correctly I might add :-) I sent the above whinny message.
Turns out the cd is bootable now I just need to figure out what is the next step.
I think I will start a new  thread "Setting up a new PC scratch" I probablecould justbang my way through but I been caught befor making errors with unknown systems.

Thanks for the replies.
Ralph

If the CD boots okay, just boot it & let Boot-It install on the hard drive.

You might want to watch the installation tutorials I linked to above => there are a few "tricks" you need to use when installing new OS's [they "mess up" the Boot-It installation and require you to reboot to the Boot-It CD and "Re-Activate Boot-It"].

Note that once you've installed an OS (e.g. XP) you can save an image of that basic install ... and if you want another copy (to configure differently, etc.) you can simply restore the image to another partition and create another boot item in Boot-It.   I have, for example, "XP for Browsing", XP with Office 2003, XP with Office 2007, and XP with Open Office boot items ... but only installed XP one time [I did all the updates; installed my antivirus & anti-spyware software; installed my "always there" utilities; and then imaged it --> then just restored the image to 3 other partitions].

Thanks again Gary, I hve assembled all of the components and booted BootIt I definately need the tutorials as what I have seen so far is confusing then the manual is all over the place mixing getting started with re-installing etc. hopefully the tutorial will sooth my paranoid anal self.

Ralph

All I can say is it's not hard ... and that once you "get the hang of it" you'll really enjoy the ability to have as many OS's as you want; each isolated from the others; with the ability to just double-click an icon to image any OS [You do have to buy Boot-It for this to work as it requires the BootNow! and Image Set support].

How many different OS's are you planning to install??

On going saga with Boot-It which I have purchased.
So here is the discussion on setting up my new PC.

I have watched the Boot-It Tutorials and started "attempting" to use it.
I use a KVM for keyboard nad mouse so first thing Boot-It doesn't recognize any mouse.
On the opening screen  (after install just using the keyboard) when I tab over to "Maintenance" to make some partitions the keyboard is also lost so I am dead in the water. I can use a PS2 keyboard and mouse (and have done so) to setup some partitions but I need to use the KVM for everyday operations.

I hope this will eventually workout the main thing I want is the Image making otherwise I could live with 4 partitions.
Ralph

Well ... let's get the basic setup done first => then worry about the KVM :-)

So ... assuming you connect a PS/2 keyboard & mouse so basic functions are fine ...

First, get one OS installed so you can get the "feel" for what Boot-It can do.   I'd suggest XP, but it doesn't really matter.
I'd go to Partition Work; create a single 30GB partition; then go to Boot Edit and create a boot entry (call it "Windows XP Base" or something like that) ... set it to boot from the partition you just created;  and then back out to the boot menu and attempt to boot from it (it won't work).   Then boot to your XP CD and install XP [The process here is fairly well documented in the Boot-It tutorial on installing XP].

When that's done you should be able to boot the PC, get a Boot-It menu (with just one item -- "Windows XP Base"), and if you select that item it should boot just fine.   Post back when you get to that point :-)  [or if you have any questions along the way]

... note:  the only "tricky" part of installing XP is when it "destroys" Boot-It's initial boot code in the MBR and you have to reboot with the CD to "re-activate Boot-It".   I believe this happens when XP attempts to boot after it's copied the files, etc.    Also, be SURE you select the correct partition to install XP to => just be sure it's the right size (i.e. if you created a 30GB partition it should be 30GB).    Also note that once you've installed XP here you'll NEVER have to install it again ... we'll save the "base" image and you can create as many copies as you might ever want by simply restoring it :-)

All set everything is working I had looked at the BIOS and apparently turned off the USB support (which of course is strange since I was using a USB keyboard to do it.

Anyway I have Windows 2003 R2 Enterprise installed as my first OS.
Now I "should" be able to install the other OS's. I have the Ubuntu Linux client and server but have not been able to install them in a virtual machine on another computer, they run from the CD fine even though I select Install. Well I will get it working.

Thanks for all of your help. Boot-It looks like those early Borland applications.
Boot-It really does a lot of stuff I'll have to spend sometime banging around in there.

Thanks again.
Ralph

I'm sure you'll enjoy the capabilities Boot-It lets you have once you've got the hang of it.   The only caveat (as I've mentioned before) is to NOT use any of the Disk Management tools in Windows to modify the partitions.   This would mess up the extended MBR structure that Boot-It maintains for the disk (unless you selected "limit primaries" --> which would then only allow 4 partitions and always use a standard MBR).