Windows Server Catalog (Hardware Compatibility List)Windows Server 2008 SP1

Two minutes of checking your hardware against the WSC (Windows Server Catalog), will save you a lifetime of grief dealing with incompatibilities.  Because server hardware is relatively cheap, if you are installing Server 2008 on a production server, don't coble something together.  It's just not worth risking nearly-incompatible kit, sooner or later the mismatched component will come back and bite you.

The best answer is treat yourself to new kit which is plastered with the Logo - 'Certified for Windows Server 2008 hardware'.  Don't accept imitations, even at knock down prices.

Worth a look: check out the free Microsoft Assessment and Planning Solution Accelerator.  What this utility does is assess your present hardware, then produces an Excel report on the fitness of your machines to run Windows Server 2008.