Home Media Server

[Jato87]

I am building my first cheap home media server:

MB: ECS 915P-A2
CPU: Intel P4 651 (2M Cache, 3.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
Case: 10-Bay ATX Computer Case w/ 300watt PSU
RAM: 2 x 512MB PC2 4200
HDD: 2x 250gb hdd
OS: ???

What I basically want from the server is:
- Store files
- Stream media to My Other PCs

What OS do you think I should go with????

i have:
Windows Server 2008 Standard 64bit
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 64bit
windows Vista 32 and 64 bit

[Shane]

64 bit is for systems with 4gb of ram or more. Go with 32 bit if you only have 1gb.

The difference between a server OS and a workstation OS is in windows Vista will share files and printers, but only to 5 people with home edition and 10 people with ultimate. The server os will share to unlimited.

So it all depends on how many, for me I would go with Windows 2008. 

Shane

[Evan]

With only a GB of RAM you need to make sure you have that machine dedicated to what you are asking.  You should really look at putting some more RAM into it as Vista is based off the Server 2008 code and both of those are going to be having a really hard time with only a GB of RAM.

-Evan