How to Install Windows Server 2008

Before You Begin

Before beginning the operating system installation, make sure that the following requirements are met:

• If you want to configure your boot drive for RAID1 (mirroring), you need to do so using the LSI Logic integrated RAID controller’s setup utility (accessible by pressing Ctrl+C when prompted during server boot) before you install the Windows operating system. For more details, refer to the Sun LSI 106x RAID User’s Guide.

• For your chosen Windows media delivery method, refer to the following requirements table.

1. Power cycle your server.

   If you are using the Windows Remote or Windows Image method, you can do this through ILOM.

   The BIOS POST process begins.

2. Press F8 when the Press F8 for BBS POPUP prompt appears on the BIOS POST screen.

   The BBS POPUP menu allows you to select a boot device.

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   Note - BIOS POST messages, including the prompt for the BBS Popup menu, can go by quickly, and you might miss them. If so, power cycle the server and hold down the F8 key during boot until the BBS Popup menu (shown in Step 3) appears.

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3. Once the BIOS POST process is complete, the Boot Device menu appears. If you have selected the Windows Local installation method, insert the Windows media DVD into the connected DVD drive now.
   
4. Do one of the following:
   • If you are using the Windows Local method, select CD/DVD from the Boot Device menu and press Enter.
   • If you are using the Windows Remote or Windows Image method, select the virtual CD/DVD from the Boot Device menu and press Enter.

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

   The Windows installation wizard starts.

5. Proceed through the installation wizard until you see the Installation Type page, then click Custom (advanced).
   
6. At the Where to Install Windows screen, do one of the following:
   

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   Note - For Windows Server 2008 SP2, the mass storage driver is not installed. The driver must be accessible through a connected CD/DVD or USB flash drive. If the driver is not accessible, the disk is not visible as shown in the previous figure. To add the driver to the boot WIM, see Add Device Driver to the Boot WIM (Windows Server 2008 SP2 Only).

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   Caution - Formatting or re-partitioning a pre-existing partition destroys all data on the partition.

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   • To select the Windows default partition settings, click Next. You are taken to Step 8.

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

7. At the Advanced Driver Options screen, do the following:
   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. The server reboots multiple times during the installation process.

8. When the Windows installation is complete, Windows starts and prompts you to change the user password. Click OK and set up your initial user login account.

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   Note - Windows Server 2008 R2 enforces password schemes for user accounts. Password standards include restrictions on length, complexity, and history. By default, 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 created your initial account, the Windows Server 2008 desktop appears. The Windows Server 2008 R2 interface is new; review the Microsoft documentation to familiarize yourself with the changes.

See Also

Updating Critical Drivers and Installing Supplemental Software.