Is it possible to have osx server abilities on windows pc?

[e-r-a-n]

Hello everyone,
My question is quite simple, but hopefuly there's (even a complex) answer.
I have a regular home desktop running windows.
Other than that, two macbooks, external storage (HFS format) and would really like to have the dekstop act as a local server, for time machine backups, storage sharing and such.
I dont mind have it run windows or linux, but is it possible to have it act as a media center (xbmc with ati 5450/6450 video card with hdmi) and also have osx server abilities?
The idea is to have it connected to my living room TV, but also behave as a server.

 

[blueroom]

Nope

 

[snarfquest]

Well... maybe..

You could turn it into a Hackintosh if the hardware specs are suitable.

 

[Consultant]

VMware with OS X server perhaps.

 

[notjustjay]

Depends on what exactly you want it to do.

It can be a home network file server, yes. You can serve up files, iTunes media, xbmc, you could run a web server if you wanted to.

Can it do Time Machine backups? It seems to be possible, based on a quick Google search, but I can't vouch for it.

http://lifehacker.com/5691649/an-ea...ne-to-back-up-to-a-networked-windows-computer

 

[dimme]

You have a few options but you will if your willing to lose the ability to use it as a desktop windows machine.
One option is to run Amahi home server.
http://www.amahi.org
I use this setup before I set up a mini running OS X, I do not think it will do time machine.

Next you can try free has. or else you can use anyone of a few linux distress. There are time machine hacks out there that work OK, however you may need to change them as apple updates the software. I would use super duper as a backup also.
As far as media center options go I read about a few for linux but have no personal experience.
Good Luck and have fun.
Let us know what works out for you.

 

[bobenhaus]

Linux OS

 

[e-r-a-n]

Well, Seems that Running Ubuntu or other linux distrib. will be the all-in-one package for me.
as It seems it can run amahi server and server files, do time machine backups..
and of course its easy to work with, I can run xbmc on it with no problem.
I'll give it a try

I tried installing tonymacx86 yesterday but it appears that the hardware isnt fully working - bad resolution and sound issues. I found other with similar setup complaining about it as well

 

[snarfquest]

You might also want to give FreeNas a look. I used it for a few years and was very happy with it.

http://www.freenas.org/