Windows 2003 server or Xp

[rajankz]

Hi all

I have a doubt ... plz help.

I have used windows 2003 Enterprise edition on my desktop pc and also windows xp.

But while using xp long back no service packs were available.

After that i switched to Server 2003 ENT for my desktop. It gave me good performance with my hardware(P4 2.6 HT, 865GBF, 512 MB Ram).

Some of the applications that i mostly use are visual studio .net 2003

Now after installing sp1..i have installed "Longhorn Transformation Pack 10" and my system gives a really poor performance. I tried uninstalling but all in vain.

I messes up with my system bcoz i wanted to change the bootscreen and also the welcome screen.

Now since my system is a real mess...i consulted some of my friends who told that there is no chance for server 2003 with sp1 to display xp type bootscreen and also the welcome screen. Is this true???? ..plz reply this and also

My biggest doubt is :

1. what is the performance difference between windows xp with sp2 (maybe some tweaks) and windows 2003 server ENT with sp1.

Which one is the preffered for most kind of applications.

(According to this i have to order for a slipstreamed copy)

2. I'm too much impressed by the look-n-feel of longhorn...with the common tasks appearing on top..(but i dont ike the sidebar) .... the cool icons...botscreen...and the welcome screen...user switch...(especially the slate theme)

Is there any way that i can use these themes without disturbing any of the system files. If yes then how...if no..what must the the minimum things to do..????

plz reply as soon as possible

thankz in advance

[Win2k3EE]

It depends what you do most of the time: if you like games/themes/sfuff like that => windows xp. If you do a lot of programing&stuff => Windows Server 2003.

Themes can be used in Windows Server 2003 also, but...I don't like 'em.

P.S. Longhorn transformation packs/ sidebars & stuff are memory eaters.

Edited June 16, 2005 by Win2k3EE