Was wondering if there is an easy way to run a ts2 server as a service in 2k3 server without having to install game panel or firedameon?

Easiest way would be to install Firedaemon Lite version. It's free and good for one service.

Trying to run executables as services is most times tricky and involves editing your registry etc..

With FD you can simply install and you are done.

thx will check it out, have it running now as a sch. task and rebooted machine with it set to come on once system starts..

That should work fine.
The only problem that would arise is if the TS crashed for some reason while the server was still running. But I would say the chances of TS crashing are slim to none. And you could allways login and restart it manually if you had to.

ya never thought of that at least firedameon would restart it...