I've been trying to install either Server 2008 x64 or ESXi on my ECS motherboard. It has a GeForce chipset, 4gb ram, Pentium e2180 and a SATA drive attached to the onboard controller. ESXi doesn't like the controller but that seems to be a typical problem. I'm not interested in spending money on another controller.
Server 2008, several versions I've tried, all seem to lock up on the "expanding files" phase of the installation. I've tried all kinds of combinations, including installing Server 2003 x64 and trying to upgrade from there. Always hangs around the same place. Unless someone has a suggestion I'm punting.
Going with Server 2003 R2 x64 with VMWare Server. The processing for the GUI won't be a total waste since I want to run it as a DC also but it's still a pain that this stuff doesn't work better. I mean come on guys! It's not like the Nvidia chipset is all that new.