Windows Server 2003 vs. Windows Server 2008

What should I use in a 1GB Ram VPS: Windows Server 2003 or 2008?

I will be running:
AMR;
Scrapebox;
BMD;

i am using 2008 with exactly these specs and softs..

imserious said:

i am using 2008 with exactly these specs and softs..

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Can you run all of them at the same time without crashing or whatever?

RuiGomes said:

Can you run all of them at the same time without crashing or whatever?

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Maybe not with 1 gig of RAM, if you wanted stability then I would go for something like 4 gig. But 2 gig would do you fine but expect lag

1 Gig is enough for these softs..

Especially if you take the time to optimize the server! I run the same and sometimes get 3 instances of ScrapeBox going! I don't run my AMR or BMD just yet, but probably will.

I run all my Automated ScrapeBox runs on the VPS! I was actually running on a 512Mg before and had it running good...

Patchworks said:

Especially if you take the time to optimize the server! I run the same and sometimes get 3 instances of ScrapeBox going! I don't run my AMR or BMD just yet, but probably will.

I run all my Automated ScrapeBox runs on the VPS! I was actually running on a 512Mg before and had it running good...

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Mind to share a few tricks to optimize the VPS?

2003 requires less RAM so I would go for that. Seriously, it will be faster. A 2008 one will still work fine, but there is no real reason for going for it over 2003, except for the shiny new number.

Also, some programs still struggle with 2008, slick submitter, etc.

RuiGomes said:

Mind to share a few tricks to optimize the VPS?

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Sure Daddio!

I do this stuff for a living so I have a set procedure when setting up a new VPS. I have automatic backups so that I can dump a VPS at any moment. I had problems with Burst and their crappy service and I simply downloaded my backup to another VPS in about 5 mins and shut off the lights and turned in the keys!

Basically when I setup a new VPS, I copy up my backup file and unzip it. The backup contains all my utilities, shortcuts, software that I use to get the VPS setup.

I have portable version of WinRAR and have Automatic Backups of my entire ScrapeBox setup run nightly and I try to download one locally a few times a week. Here is the ShortCut that I schedule to run nightly and it makes a Backup File on the desktop with the date in it.


To setup a new VPS I start by disabling all the services you don't need. Like all Audio Stuff, Windows Updates, BITS, Fast User Switching, etc.

I've even been working with some more advanced stuff that can be turned off but some might need to be turned on to do certain tasks! Also some of these do certain function so you might need them. Most of the time, I simply use the VPS as a stand-alone close system so all the fancy crap can be turned off.

Disable Remote Registry
Disable Seconday Login
Disable Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service
Disable Shell Hardware Detection
Disable SL UI Notification Service
Disable IPSec
Disable IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
Disable Windows Modules Installer
Disable TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
Disable Server
Disable Windows Module Installer

There are some more .REG Registry file that I personally run to disable stuff like Performance Monitors and such, but that might be more advanced.

Disable unnecessary networking stuff. We are getting down to basics here for PURE RAW speed. I disable all the NETBios stuff in Networking, Disable all the extra network protocols in network setup IP6, QOS Services, Microsoft File Sharing, etc. I usually make the IP static and then you can disable DHCP too! Once I get finished with all this, I'm usually running around 30 services which is FANTASTIC!

Disable unneeded System Settings, I also disable DEP on all but essential programs and set the server to give priority to running programs and not background processes! I've Personally found that ScrapeBox runs great with DEP disabled and it doesn't seem to crash with all the memory problems as much. Also all the IE9 stuff that I disable seems to give the Slow Poster much more stability since it is basically loading IE with a wrapper!

Next run the TCPOptimizer to get your network settings going really fast. By Default Windows doesn't handle all the fast quick connections very well... Think of ScrapeBox as a machine gun not a tank. I've attached my file which I personally use and you can import if you like into TCPOptimizer!

I generally don't run any sort of AntiVirus Software and just make sure to disable all the Enhanced IE Protections! Now to make IE run great, I install IE9 and disable pretty much all the ActiveX stuff to prevent viruses and such and disable pretty much all the ADDONs which tend to suck all the memory out of IE.

For extra space I usually make my ScrapeBox directory which has all my .txt file in it compressed. Also, don't forget to defrag often since you usually only have a small amount of space and it will fragment quick. You can AUTO schedule this in the defragger for windows.

Don't forget to customize your RDP setting when you connect and that will keep your refresh speed quick. Also don't forget to minimize your RDP so the refresh will stop. It will refresh once you restore the window.

As part of my VPS setup, I shortcuts to all my favorite places, like master lists, proxies, queued lists, etc. I keep a copy of those shortcuts in the backup so I can simply delete all the Explorer ShortCuts and drag and drop my favorites in so I can click on the Explorer Favorites very quickly when loading Names.txt, Email.txt and other files.

I feel like I'm forgetting things but I can always update.

PS. I also made another post a few days ago about helping people with their VPS and setting up my Automated ScrapeBox app and sharing the lists if produces... Let me know if anyone would be interested.

Cheers Big Ears!!!

What gain in performance/ how much do you lower idle ram usage.

I have been doing something like that in XP - min ram was ~ 90 MB but i didn't disabled as much services as you.

moonlighsunligh said:

What gain in performance/ how much do you lower idle ram usage.

I have been doing something like that in XP - min ram was ~ 90 MB but i didn't disabled as much services as you.

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Every service lowers memory and adds processing power! I generally have about 500-600Mg free when I start.. I also make the swapfile static about 1.5Gb.

"I generally don't run any sort of AntiVirus Software and just make sure to disable all the Enhanced IE Protections! Now to make IE run great, I install IE9 and disable pretty much all the ActiveX stuff to prevent viruses and such and disable pretty much all the ADDONs which tend to suck all the memory out of IE."

Patchworks,

You haven't come across any directory exploits to date? I notice with BMD the AV going off every so often. I guess with a VPS if you get hit with malware you then simply restore the session.

For applications that use heavy network resources going with server 2008 is an absolute must. Server 2008 is built on a much better TCP/IP stack and the registry is much more configurable to accommodate the type of applications you are looking to run. Don't listen to these people telling you 2008 is just a number. That is very far from the truth.

Also, 1 GB of RAM is on the very low side for successful use of programs. Applications such as Scrapebox can begin to consume up to 2GB of ram with any REAL extensive use. If you are only going to use them for posting 1GB is fine, but if you are building your own lists it won't be enough.

Actually i have no problems running scrapebox with just 512 on VPS. It never crashed and it doesn't even need 512 RAM - it doesn't use more than 400MB as far as i saw (300MB for windows and 100MB for windows 2003 ). But is you use 2008 that uses almost 500 MB ram then you have to have 1GB RAM. With windows 2003 512 is fine.