convert a data server into desktop pc?

[friedemann]

I was given a "data server" with Windows XP sp2 on it with a monitor and keyboard. Ok, I thought, better than nothing.
It takes quite a while to get to the stage where it stops clicking (8-10 minutes). And I haven't touched anything yet.
I am thinking that it is looking for its mates which it is no longer connected to.
How hard is it to convert this pc to a stand alone machine.? How do I go about it.

Is there some site or someone knowledgeable of some of the steps to accomplish this feat.?
I see that a number of shortcuts do not exist anymore for starters.....but I am leaving them alone until a program takes them out.

I ran Spybot S&D thru it and it is clean.
Ad-aware is not wanting to go thru to completion at this time.
It did have Norton 2006 antivirus on it for protection.

I have experience of working inside the registry if I must.

I do note than when the computer is started, While in the DOS mode I do see some mention of "Network ??" F12 button, which I know is out of the ordinary.
The pc is an AZURA
Any help appreciated.

I do not have program disks, so I am gonna try to work around without wiping out the hard drive.

Of course, when I googled "change Server to pc" ; the results come back as "Change your old pc into a server" for all the hits. Figures.

[BipolarBill]

A server is just a robust PC. As long as you have the appropriate drivers for all the hardware, it's a piece o' cake.

Note if the server has a SCSI card or adapter and hard drives. Look inside. SCSI drives use ribbon cables that are either wider or narrower than IDE cables. There are usually more than two connectors per cable too. If you have SCSI, you may need the proper drivers for the adapter. You can also simply look in Device Manager for a SCSI adapter and fetch the drivers based on what you see there. SP2 should have the drivers anyway - built into Windows.

If you have admin privileges on the "server", you can delete the old profiles and create a new one for your own use.