list of windows server 2008 64-bit compatible motherboards

[contactsol]

Hi,

 

I am looking to buy a motherboard that is compatible with windows server 2008 64-bit, preferably gigabyte but any good brands will do.

 

Thanks

[F2 Staff]

Any 64bit motherboard will work. Even the older 64bit boards will work.

[contactsol]

hi BSchwarz,

 

We are using gigabypte ep45t-ud3p motherboard, RAID, and we get an error message saying that the driver needs to be digitally signed when trying to install windows server 2008 64-bit option, the driver comes with the motherboard box is not signed for some reasons. We are looking at using another motherboard with perhaps signed driver, any suggestion would be greatly appreciated

[F2 Staff]

All 64bit drivers have to signed. There should be 64bit signed drivers at the manufacturer site. You shouldn't even need the raid driver anyway.

 

Is something not working that you need the raid driver installed?

[soumitra]

Hi,

 

I just bought the ASUS M3N78 PRO motherboard and would like to install Windows server 2008. The processor is Phenom 9500.

 

Are there any known issues with installing Windows Server 2008 on this motherboard? I was doing some research and some message board mentioned that there is a lack of drivers.

 

Any pointers will be highly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

Soumitra

[F2 Staff]

You shouldn't have any problems installing on that board.

[jimbo45]

Hi all

most of the problems you might have on older hardware is in finding a decent video driver -- the W7 X-64 version seems to work in 99% of cases or in getting the on board LAN to work in 64 bit mode - even if the other components are fine.

 

Logon to Intel (or AMD or your Mobo manufacturer site) and download the video accelerator driver for the chipset you are using (for example GMXXX).

 

For a server its probably fine to use a mobo with on board graphics.

 

I've actually tested W2008 server on an old laptop - although added extra RAM so the laptop is 4GB.

 

I had to download the Intel mobile graphics accelerator driver for chipset GM945 to get proper resolution - then it worked fine.

 

Nothing per se in W2008 will stop you using it on older hardware so long as its 64 Bit.

 

Note however some older built in LAN cards only work in 32 bit even though the rest of the computer will work in 64 bit mode -- Via velocity gigabit cards are often a problem here.

 

Get round this by using a USB==>LAN device (only around 5 USD) or use another external LAN / wireless card. On the Laptop I found an Express PCI LAN card that worked fine in 64 bit mode.

 

Note - the latest Widows 7 x-64 drivers will in nearly all cases work fine with the exception of a few really stubborn LAN cards - which won't work even when Windows reports driver installed and working correctly.

 

You'll see this by "Unidentified Network" connection and you won't be able to connect to the Internet. The only solution is to use another LAN device as I've pointed out above.

 

 

More modern hardware will be fine -- you don't need "specific" Server hardware for running W2008 server -- even a modest laptop will run it.

 

BTW if you do want to run W2008 in a "Home" type of environment you might be interested in making it behave more like a Workstation

 

Have a look at this link.

 

http://www.win2008workstation.com/

 

Cheers

jimbo