Server Advice
 

So I decided to 'convert' my desktop into a server computer for my house. It'll store all of our video and music files as well as host servers for our gaming needs.

I've got a few questions for those of you who have done something similar to this or are more knowledgeable than myself.

First of all, it's an AMD XP 2200 with a Radeon 9700 Pro and 512MB of Corsair XMS PC3200 running XP Pro.

1. I have access to a free legit version of Microsoft Server 2003. Should I run Server'03 instead of XP Pro? Pros and cons?

2. I want to buy a TV tuner so that I can run my cable through the PC with coax then to the TV with S-video. What features should I look for? Are any brands particularly awesome? Links?

3. I'll probably end up buying some more RAM and possibly another HDD for it. I don't think there's any need for a better video card (even down the road) if I'm just going to be hosting with it. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance.

3 is correct
question 1 would probally be best answered by WetWired
and 2. i dunno but my radeon has a tuner in it, but i never got around to hooking it up so I can tell you if its good or not

ATI TV Wonder has crap picture quality, but is real-time if you use the 7.9 drivers or earlier. I tried several other brands and they had a 1-5 second delay.

As for the OS issue, I wouldn't know.

If you want to put a domain in your house and have space on the server set aside for users. Then use 2003. If you just want to make the files sharable on the network, xp is fine.

So basicly, if you want each computer to log in through the server to connect to the internet and have hdd space specified to each user 2003 is the way to go.

Get more RAM. You should have at least a gig for a server. You'll notice it if you run it online.

I'd say just go with XP. Microsoft Server 2003 will be a pain in the ass.

Then again, you might learn something. Of course by something, I mean Microsoft bullshit.

You most definetly do not need any more RAM for that machine. Also, a bsd/linux system on there would give you the best performance off the drives, but then the issue becomes getting the TV tuner card to work (though there are cards that work great in linux...if you decide to go this route then do some research on it...there are also linux distros designed specifically for media pc's which make everything really easy, so look for those too, oh, and running the game servers might become a problem).

Also, I think you just shouldn't mix a media center pc with a file and game server. Also, I think you shouldn't even make a file server unless you have some serious leftover disk space, like 200 gb.