Install Virtual PC 2007 on Windows XP Pro with 2 GB Ram. (free from MS)
Create new Virtual Host: Fill in the setup page for it.
Don’t starve your XP machine for memory. If it runs out of resources, the whole thing slows down.
Don’t load anything you don’t need on the Host PC.
Use a very basic Anti-Virus. Norton AV (without internet security or firewall.)
Start the new Virtual Machine; a DOS window opens; Pop in the Server 2003 CD so it boots.
You likely will have catch the “Press space bar to boot from the CD”.
Build your server to a baseline setup.
As soon as you get a working server desktop; install the Virtual Machine Additions to get the mouse working properly.
Quit the Virtual Server (shut down) and Backup Copy the Virtual Hard Disk File to a safe place so you can go back or build another server from this base template.
Start up again:
Install SQL sp3. Patch everything up to date; then load a simple antivirus.
Norton AV (none of the symantec internet security crap); just AV.
Shut Down and save another copy of your Virtual Hard Disk again.
Start up again; join the Domain (non DC) and install Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0 as a Farm or it won’t use SQL Server. (Advanced Options.)
Get your server registered in DNS (ipconfig /registerdns)
Test DNS with Ping and nslookup. Test DCDiag and NetDiag.
Clean up all errors in the log files.
Shut Down and make a backup of the Virtual Hard Disk.
Your ready to begin building your WEB Sites or what ever you hear desires.
This illistration shows the directory layout on the Virtual PC that's hosting the Virtual Servers.
The Virtual Server .vhd file is 4/5 GB and can fit on a single DVD. The Config.txt is my own notes file used to track progress and document how this machine was built. The .vhd file can be copied to and run on Microsoft Virtual Server 2005. Saddly, even though Virtual Server will run a server built on Virtual PC, Virtual Server won't let you install Virtual PC on a Windows Server OS.
Michael Angelo
Angelo Consulting Co.
609-641-6392