Server 2003 as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
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I've been Recording music on PC's for about 10 years I've tried many operating systems win 95 98 XP 2000 Server 2003 2008 Vista, Linux Mandrake, Dyne-Bolic Dyne is a great OS, as it is specifically designed for Musicians! I just couldn't get a hang of it so decided to stay on the windows platform using "Sony Acid" as my Multitrack recorder

The idea is to get windows server 2003 Running lean and mean with as little background processes running as possible, and nothing to unexpectedly slow the system while recording your trax, this setup Presumes you will be using the PC for mostly Recording/music playback Web Browsing.

I cannot Guarantee that all software will work after changing these windows settings.
Note: - This site here goes into depth about how to turn Win2k3 into a Workstation.

(System Properties) First Steps
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Automatic updates Off, we don't need windows destroying our nice base system with more rubbish!

Hardware profiles
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Create a new profile that you can load when you wish to use the PC Solely for Recording/making music, we wont need the Internet or network for this so will be able to speed things up a bit!)
I learnt from this the hard way that it was good to have more than one profile in the case that you accidentally disable a service and cant change it back

Performance options
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"Visual Effects" ..Turn them all off, Unnecessary graphics will just slow the PC down
"advanced" put both settings to programs!

Error Reporting (nuke it!)

Services

(Start > Run > Services.msc OR Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services)
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm

Application Experience Lookup Service *"disabled on DAW Profile"

Application Layer Gateway Service (Needed for the Firewall) *"Internet" profile only
Notes: - When using a firewall this service should be enabled. By not doing so you can be opening a large security hole.

Computer Browser *"Disabled on DAW"

Cryptographic Services *"Disabled on DAW"

DHCP Client *"Disabled on DAW"
Notes: - Not needed if you have a static IP address (very few home users have static IP addresses) or if it's a stand alone computer. (So only needed for the "Internet" Profile)

Distributed Link Tracking Client *"Disabled on DAW"
Notes: - W2K/XP service. Distributed Link Tracking Client sends notifications of files moving between NTFS volumes in a network domain. A home user can set this to Manual.

Distributed Transaction Coordinator Service *"Disabled on DAW"
Notes: - Do not disable this service if you are using Message Queuing (not needed for home users)

DNS Client *"Disabled on DAW"

Error Reporting Service *"Disabled on whatever"

Help and Support * ?

HID Input Service * Probably best left on for laptops where you will be using USB Devices often (I've disabled for now until I get my "zoom h4" portable Recorder
Notes: - If you Disable this and buttons on your keyboard or remote quit working, you can simply Enable it.

Network Connections *disabled on DAW as we don't need Internet there
Notes: - Disabling this service will cripple your network connection.

Network Location Awareness (NLA) *Disabled on DAW
Notes: - Real Player may require this service, otherwise it will stall. It has also been reported to me that Windows Live OneCare firewall requires this service. If you have a wired or wireless network card installed, this service needs to be in Manual mode (and started) for the wireless card to properly obtain a dynamic IP address and update the icon in the system tray.

Protected Storage * ? I've disabled on my DAW :-)
Notes: - If you disable this service, you will no longer have any of your passwords saved, no matter how many times you click the box, Allows for the saving of local passwords or even web sites information (AutoComplete).

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) * Just don't lol
What I am trying to tell you is leave this service on Automatic and absolutely do not disable it

Remote Registry * Disable on all
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Remote_Registry.htm

Secondary Logon *Disable on all
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Secondary_Logon.htm

Shell Hardware Detection * Disabled on DAW
Notes: - Disables anything annoying that may pop up when you insert a CD, USB device ect
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Shell_Hardware_Detection.htm

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper *?
This feature provides legacy support for NetBIOS over TCP/IP. If your network does not use NetBIOS and/or WINS, disable this function.

Terminal Services *Disabled on DAW
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Terminal_Services.htm

Windows time * Disabled on DAW
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/Services/Windows_Time.htm

Workstation *disabled on DAW

Group Policy Editor
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Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc

Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System ->

Display Shutdown event track *disabled (kills that annoying thing)