I recently received a request to install from an SCCM image /PXe boot image the Windows 2003 R2 standard O/s to a new Virtual machine. When I installed the image it actually turned out to be the Windows 2003 standard O/s (32 bit vs 64 bit). However, later discussions with the requester revealed he really wanted the 32 bit version anyway so all was good.
However, in viewing the VM properties/options, while the O/S was Windows 2003 R2 (64bit), the VM summary showed Windows 2003 standard (32bit). A change to the VM properties to Windows 2003 standard corrected this.
This exercise made me wonder. When creating a VM, as I select the operating system to Windows 2003 R2 (64bit) I am still able to install Windows 2003 standard (32bit). So, what is the purpose of selecting the operating system when creating a VM? Is it just merely a label for the VM operating system? Could I have just as easily selected Windows 2008 , for example, and installed Windows 2003? What is the ramifications of selecting the wrong O/S but install a different operating system ?
Thanks