Small Business Server 2008 - Build Document II. Install Process Table of Contents PREPREPINSTALL OF THE OS
If you are installing on HP Hardware you can follow a tip by Kevin Royalty.
Insert the dvd into the dvd drive of your server (if physical) or ISO in HyperV. Let the computer boot and read the dvd. Enter the language selection. When you get to the section regarding the product key, you can opt to install without a key and enter a key at a later date. When selecting the location to install remember that you can install it on the c:drive and move the date to your additional partitions later. The install initially lay down a Windows operating system, reboot and then ask you question about the domain name and business information.
When the server reboots, the Windows 2008 OS is installed and the SBS install part begins. The system will ask if you'd like to install updates during the install process. At this time there are no updates that directly impact the install process. Some updates may throw off 'bogus' error messages during the install process that will not impact the server but will give off incorrect messages during the install. Many opt to not get updates as a result. If you have any issues during the install you can hit <shift>+F10 during the install, type in explorer.exe and launch to the c drive. Once there browse to the C drive and review the log files for the setup process. You can review the listing of installation errors. Please note that while that list looks long, it's rare that an install will fail with a clean install. To return to the outline of the SBS 2008 build document, click here.
Susan Bradley edited Revision 10. Comment: Edit for font size
Dale DU-IT edited Revision 8. Comment: oops wrong SBS wiki ...will move to 2011
Ed Price MSFT edited Revision 5. Comment: Updated title case.