Use Only Qualified Server Hardware

Before you even think about installing Windows Server 2003 on a machine, you'd best be sure that the hardware you're considering will make a good home for that software. Nevertheless, without a formal seal of approval or a guarantee from a vendor, how can you be sure that the software will work with your hardware?

Fortunately, you can be sure by checking the Windows 2003 Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). This is a comprehensive list of hardware that's been listed and certified to be compatible with Windows 2003. The HCL is available online at http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/.

You can also use the installation utility to automatically check your hardware for you. However, to use the latest HCL available, the system must also have Internet access. There are two ways to test your system for HCL compliance. The first is to insert the CD and let the auto-run mechanism start (or execute startup.exe from the root of the CD). Click Check System Compatibility and then click Check My System Automatically. The second method is to execute the following from the command prompt or Run dialog box:

 i386\winnt32 /checkupgradeonly 

Both methods attempt to first download the latest HCL and then test your system's hardware for compliance with the requirements of Window 2003. If any problems or incompatibilities are found, you see an on-screen report.

Tip 

Many hardware vendors offer server machines with Windows Server 2003 preinstalled. When you're buying new servers, price one that includes the Windows Server 2003 operating system versus one that doesn't. You may be pleasantly surprised by the price breaks you can get when buying a preinstalled system.