To do this, you’ll need an application that can extract files from ISO images (mounting will work here), and that can delete and add files on them (this is the tricky part).

I used UltraISO 5.55 SR2, but unfortunately it isn’t free. There’s a free trial, but it won’t save anything over 300M. If I find a free replacement that’s suitable for the job, I’ll update this little text. Which tool you use doesn’t matter, as long as it keeps boot records untouched.

To do this little hack, find DOSNET.INF in the i386 directory of the ISO, and open it in notepad or a similar text exitor.

Change:

    MinimumMemory = 134217782

To:

    MinimumMemory = 34217782

Or any other number less than the amount of RAM you have. I have found that setting it too little won’t work, however. Changing this number will only make the GUI installer think you have enough memory. You’ll need to convince the text installer of this too.

To do this, find TXTSETUP.SIF in the i386 directory. Unlike the previous file, this isn’t near the top so you’ll have to search for it.

Then, Change:

    RequiredMemory = 134217782

To:

    RequiredMemory = 34217782

Again, any number less than the amount of RAM installed will suffice. You can now burn the ISO to a CD and install Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

Note: I have not actually tested the changing of TXTSETUP.SIF on the CD. Setup copied it to the hard disk, and rebooted. The text installer then whined about not having enough memory, changing this fixed it. I only assume it takes this from the same file on the CD.