Before you begin, make sure that you have a hard drive with an adequate amount of un-partitioned space available so that you have somewhere for Windows to install to!
I like to split the Windows installation into two stages – Stage 1 and Stage 2. In Stage 1, the screen is quite ugly, you don’t have a lot of user control, and you mainly prepare the computer to enter Stage 2. In Stage 2, the bulk of the installation of files is achieved, including the setup of the registry and system files.
We begin at installation. Windows Server 2003’s installation process is remarkably similar to the process for XP and even Windows 2000. Boot from the CD, and begin the installation madness!
At the beginning, setup asks kind of pause to ask you if you would like to load additional drivers or start automated recovery. Just wait, because you don’t need to do either (unless you have a SCSI driver that is not auto-detected). After loading many drivers, setup will finally end at the ubiquitous Windows installation screen, where it asks if you would like to set up Windows, repair Windows, or quit. Choose to set up Windows. Next, an installation agreement (EULA) will appear. Unless you have some great problem with Microsoft, accept the EULA by pressing “F8,” and go on the good stuff. The next screen should request of you the location that you wish to place Windows in. Choose an un-partitioned space if you have one already. If you do not, then you need to either go back and use a partitioning tool like Partition Magic to create one (split an existing partition), or if you decide that you no longer need the existing partition, use the interface to delete the existing partition.
Partitioning the Hard Drive
Next, setup should ask you how you would like to format the partition. Choose NTFS (Quick) and continue.
After setup goes through with the formatting process, it will begin installing the Stage 2 setup files. Once it is complete, restart your computer (it will automatically restart anyway) and do not “boot from CD-ROM” the second time. This time, Windows Setup Stage 2 will load, and you are ready to begin Stage 2.
Stage 2 operates mostly like Windows 2000/XP Setup and the first time you will be presented with an option is when you are asked to set Regional Settings. Choose these in accordance to, well, where you live.
Next, you will be asked your name and organization’s name.
Next, you will be asked to enter your registration number.
Next, you will be asked to choose a computer name and Administrator password. To ensure compatibility with older systems, choose a name that is eight characters or less and includes no special characters. For your administrator password, choose a reasonably secure password that includes at least one capitalized letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character. It also must include at least six characters. A password like “gloria” is not as secure as a password like “eRf$%s33!d.” Note that if you do not choose a password in accordance with the above guidelines, Windows will stop you and ask if that’s really the password that you wish to use. My advice: follow Microsoft’s advice and choose a decent password, for your own sake!
Your Administrator password must meet Windows complexity requirements.
Next, you will be asked for your time zone and the date and time.
Next, you will be asked to enter your workgroup or domain’s name. Unless you already have a domain, just click “No…” and click “Next.”
Don’t worry about the workgroup/domain stuff; we will handle it later.
The next phase is where Windows “installs the network.” Wait a bit, and then the network configuration dialogue will appear (note that this configuration dialogue will appear only if Windows detects your NIC(s), and if you have multiple NIC’s, this dialogue will show up that many more times). The first part asks you whether you wish to choose “Typical” settings or “Custom” settings. I recommend that you choose “Custom” if for no other reason than to see what Windows is doing.
Installing the network drivers
Once you have configured your network settings as you like per each NIC in your PC, the next part of the setup will begin: the part in which you only have to wait and watch Windows Server 2003 install.
Once Windows Server 2003 is done installing, let your computer reboot and remove the Windows Server 2003 CD, but keep it handy in case you ever need it again. (Sometimes, certain Windows components require the original Windows CD to install).
The first time is the best!
The first time you login, you should login under your Administrator account, and proceed to activate Windows over the Internet. We move on to the more exciting stuff on the next page.
Also, PLEASE do not forget to perform updates as soon as you have been activated. In fact, before proceeding with any of the following steps, you should download and install all recommended updates.
