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Thread: Looking for cheap windows license

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    Question Looking for cheap windows license

    Hi peps,

    Does anyone know where I can get a cheap windows 2003 or 2008 server license please? It has to be legal but am looking around to find cheap prices as I may need two license to set up some dedi boxes I got a couple of weeks back.

    It has to be windows server 2003 or 2008 as I need one of those to run the bits for hosting game servers that I wish to use.

    Any help would be great and of much value to help me get my servers up and running.

    Thanks,
    Nath

    P.S Is it worth getting a monthly license from some the sells dedicated servers?
    Last edited by SystemOAD; 17-10-2011 at 02:38 PM.

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Quote Originally Posted by SystemOAD View Post
    It has to be windows server 2003 or 2008 as I need one of those to run the bits for hosting game servers that I wish to use.
    When you say this ^^^^^^^ what are the exact requirements that mean you have to have Windows Server 2k3/8? Is it just a version check, or are there specific components that are required?

    If it's just a version check, then XP x64 would probably work for you (it's based on Server 2k3) although it's end of line now so hard to find for sale. Otherwise, the cheapest version of Windows Server is likely to be one of the Web server editions - Web Server 2008 is generally ~ £250 - £300. However these are heavily stripped back, so if your game servers need specific Windows Server components you might find that Web Server versions won't run them...

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    When you say this ^^^^^^^ what are the exact requirements that mean you have to have Windows Server 2k3/8? Is it just a version check, or are there specific components that are required?
    No I just need a windows server to host game servers on and 2003/2008 is what TCAdmin have recommended to get. Its just a license Im after, dont have to include the CD etc.

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    If it's just a version check, then XP x64 would probably work for you (it's based on Server 2k3)
    I will check with TCAdmin if that can be used, but will that give me full access on remote desktop to manage the server from a data centre? as I will be getting the server co-located once ready.

    If I can use that is it just the standard desktop XP 64bit you mean to look for?

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Quote Originally Posted by SystemOAD View Post
    Its just a license Im after, dont have to include the CD etc.
    Then how do you intend to install the system?
    Quote Originally Posted by SystemOAD View Post
    I will check with TCAdmin if that can be used, but will that give me full access on remote desktop to manage the server from a data centre?
    I've not installed XP x64 for a while so I'm not 100% sure. I thought you could RDP to any Professional version of Windows, but I might be making that up (not unusual ).
    Quote Originally Posted by SystemOAD View Post
    as I will be getting the server co-located once ready.
    Hmmm, I'd check with your planned co-location provider too then, as they may have minimum OS requirements before they'll accept your servers. Also, wish I had your money
    Quote Originally Posted by SystemOAD View Post
    If I can use that is it just the standard desktop XP 64bit you mean to look for?
    Yeah, AFAIK there was only ever a Professional version of XP x64. It was based on the code base for Windows Server 2003 x64, and never really gained traction as a desktop OS.


    Just as a thought, have you considered buying your servers direct from someone like Dell and getting the OS pre-installed with a full license? As Dell get reasonable OEM discounts it may well be cheaper than getting the servers and OS separately...

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    You can RDP to any version of XP Pro, however you can only use a "Desktop" service, you don't get 2 additional remote terminates that you do with windows server.
    (\__/) All I wanted in the end was world domination and a whole lot of money to spend. - NMA
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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    If you are registered as a company, you should subscribe to the Microsoft Partner Program and buy the MS Action Pack Subscription.

    It costs about £200 and you get access to one license for each of their server products and 10 Client Access licenses for most of their server apps. Not to mention 10 copies of Win7 pro and 1 copy of Win7 Ultimate and loads more...

    Full details: [deleted]

    Damn - new members can't post urls. suffice to say the link is partner_microsoft_com/UK/40112699 that might need to be https

    Epixx




    EDIT by Admin - Sorry about the URL restriction. It slows down spammers a fair bit.

    And thanks for the info you posted. For ease of use for anyone reading, the URL you would have posted is https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/40112699

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    The action pack is a very good thing but one thing to note about it is you have to keep paying the subscription fee on an annual basis or you have to remove the software after a year.

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 is free, a server core edition that only runs Hyper-V role. It probably won't run your game servers... but you could try, when you RDP into it you just get a CMD prompt. It's really intended to compete with virtualisation platforms like XenServer or ESX.

    http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-ser...s/default.aspx

    Otherwise I highly recommend buying a 2008 R2 version (unless you need 32bit - there isn't a 32bit R2), it is a decent step up from 2008.

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...are-roles.aspx

    Pricing won't vary much as it's a fixed price the reseller has paid to MS, so any big discount is squeezing their margins tight.

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...s/pricing.aspx

    Web would probably do, I think that's the cheapest edition, cheaper even than SBS.

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Thanks for the info guys I will defo look into them all

    I dont think the £200 per year for the MS partner thing would do for me as Im not a registered company but will have a look into it.

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    Then how do you intend to install the system?
    I can get a copy of windows 2003/8 from my works as long as I can get hold of a license for myself.

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    Hmmm, I'd check with your planned co-location provider too then, as they may have minimum OS requirements before they'll accept your servers. Also, wish I had your money
    I don't think they have any min OS requirements but I will defo be sure to check to be on the safe side. Its not cost me a lot so far (about £150 for two high end servers), its the OS thats gunu cost most which is why I'm asking around for help and other options like this

    Quote Originally Posted by scaryjim View Post
    Just as a thought, have you considered buying your servers direct from someone like Dell and getting the OS pre-installed with a full license? As Dell get reasonable OEM discounts it may well be cheaper than getting the servers and OS separately...
    No I aint got my servers from any major company like Dell as they cost so much for so little IMO. I got my servers from small computer companies on ebay that offer some high end servers at very low prices.

  12. #10
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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Quote Originally Posted by SystemOAD View Post
    ... Its not cost me a lot so far (about £150 for two high end servers) ...
    Where on earth are you getting them co-located? And how long does that £150 cover? Sounds *very* cheap... almost *too* cheap...

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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    I ain't got em co-located yet but I can get co-location for about £30 each per month so its not too bad

    I think its like a years warranty on parts, but I get the parts for quite cheap too and just rebuild myself if needed.

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    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
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    Re: Looking for cheap windows license

    Ah, the £150 was for two servers? What specs does that buy you in ebayland?

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