domain thru winxp

No, you need Windows 2003 Std Server (or Windows 2000 Server to set up domains.
XP PRo can only -join- an existing domain.

Try a trial edition from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/products/info/render.aspx?view=22&type=std&content=22/TSC/Windows&ss=22/xslt/list

While the above is correct you can also use a different Server option something like BSD or Linux as a far cheaper alternative to the MS Windows Server Products.

The link that was provided above will get you a trail version of a Windows Server product which will work for up to 120 days but it may not suit your needs as some of those have limited connections available like 2003 SBE will only support 5 computers on the Domain without resorting to additional licenses but it is good for a try out, however if you want to use it you'll need to reload the system as you can not update the trial versions over to fully working versions so if you go that way you'll be needing to realize that you have a reload coming up if it suits your needs.

Of course with BSD or Linux it's a set and forget installation and can even be as cheap as the cost of the download for a Domain Controller.

Col

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