Install Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 (Manually)

This section describes how to install the OS without the use of Oracle System Assistant. The OS can be installed using either a local or remote method.

Before You Begin

• Set up the server for the OS installation of choice (local or remote). See Set Up the Local Console or Set Up the Remote Console.

• If necessary, prepare a volume on the server hard drives and set the boot device. Refer to the Sun Blade X4-2B Installation Guide .

• Acquire the Windows OS install distribution media.

• If you want to configure your boot drive for RAID 1 (mirroring) using the LSI Logic integrated RAID controller’s setup utility, press Ctrl+H (or Ctrl+C from the command line during server POST sequence).

• For local installation: Insert the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 installation media into the attached physical CD/DVD-ROM drive when prompted.

• For remote installation: Insert the Windows Server installation media into the Oracle ILOM Remote Console system’s CD/DVD-ROM drive. Make sure you have selected CD-ROM in the Device menu.

• If you are using a Windows image: Ensure that the Windows Server installation ISO image is accessible from the remote system. Make sure you have selected CD-ROM Image in the Device menu.

1. Power cycle the server.

   If you are using the Windows Remote or Windows Image method, you can power cycle the server through Oracle ILOM.

   The BIOS POST process begins.

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   Note - BIOS POST messages, including the BIOS menu options list, can go by quickly. If you miss the messages, power cycle the server and hold down the F8 key during boot until the BBS Popup menu appears.

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2. Watch the screen for the BIOS menu to appear.
   
3. When the BIOS menu options list appears, press F8 to access the BBS Popup menu.

   Once the BIOS POST process is complete, the BBS Popup menu appears. The BBS Popup menu allows you to select a boot device.

   A sample BBS Popup menu screen:

   
   
4. If you have selected the Windows Local installation method, insert the Windows media DVD into the connected DVD drive.
5. Do one of the following:
   • Windows Local method: Select CD/DVD from the Boot Device menu, and press Enter.
   • Windows Remote or Windows Image method: Select the virtual CD/DVD from the Boot Device menu, and press Enter.

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   Note - Make sure that the boot entry for the Oracle System Assistant USB is below the hard disk on which the you want to install the OS.

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   When prompted with Press any key to boot from CD, quickly press any key.

   The Windows installation wizard starts.

6. Proceed through the installation wizard until you see the Installation Type, then click Custom (advanced).
   
7. At the Where do you want to Install Windows screen:

   • To add a mass storage driver for Windows Server 2008 SP2, click Load Driver, and browse to the location of the mass storage device driver (CD/DVD or USB flash drive). Select the driver information file (.inf).

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     Note - For Windows Server 2008 SP2, the driver must be accessible through a connected CD/DVD or the Oracle System Assistant USB flash drive. If the driver is not accessible, the disk is not visible as shown below.

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   • To select the Windows default partition settings, click Next. Go to Step 9.

   • To override the Windows default partition settings, click Drive Options (advanced) and proceed to the next step.

   
   

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   Caution - Data loss. Formatting or repartitioning a preexisting partition destroys all data on the partition.

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8. At the Advanced Drive Options screen:
   1. Click Delete to delete the existing partition.
   2. Click New to create the new partition.
   3. Change size settings as needed, and then click Apply.
   4. Click Next.
      

      The Windows installation begins. During the installation process, the server reboots several times.

      When the installation process is complete, Windows starts.

9. When Windows prompts you to change the user password, click OK, and assign the administrator password.

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   Note - The password must have 8 characters, with one number and one uppercase character. For more details, click the Accessibility link on the account creation screen.

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   Once you have assigned a password to the Administrator account, the Windows Server 2008 R2 desktop appears.

Next Steps

Installing Server System Tools and Updating Drivers.