Microsoft KB Archive/326218

= HOW TO: Perform a Clean Installation in Windows Server 2003 =

PSS ID Number: 326218

Article Last Modified on 4/5/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition

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This article was previously published under Q326218



For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 308207.

IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * ** Before You Install Products in Windows Server 2003
 * How to Install Windows Server 2003
 * REFERENCES



SUMMARY
This article is a step-by-step guide to installing a stand-alone version of products in Windows Server 2003 on an unpartitioned hard disk.

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Before You Install Products in Windows Server 2003
Before you install products in Windows Server 2003, follow these steps:  Verify that your computer hardware is compatible with products in Windows Server 2003. For the latest compatibility information, and to download and install drivers for the hardware that is listed, visit the Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/

To view the system requirements for products in Windows Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/evaluation/features/compareeditions.mspx

 Read the following documents on the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM. They contain information to help you prepare for the installation.  Relnotes.htm

This file contains critical last-minute information that was not included in the documentation or in any other text file on the CD-ROM. Readme.htm

This file contains late-breaking or other information that supplements the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 documentation. Read1st.txt

This file contains important preinstallation information. It is located in the Docs folder on your Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM. Setup text files.

These files are located in the Docs folder on your Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM.</ul> </li></ul>

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How to Install Products in Windows Server 2003

 * 1) Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
 * 2) Start the computer by using the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM. Press any key on the keyboard when you see Press any key to boot from CD message. This starts Windows Server 2003 Setup.

Note: If you must install drivers for additional mass-storage devices when Setup starts, press the F6 Key. Follow the on-screen instructions to specify the location of the drivers that you want to install.
 * 1) At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
 * 2) At the Windows Licensing Agreement screen, press the F8 key if you accept the license agreement.

Note: If you do not agree with the Windows Server 2003 license agreement, press ESC. Setup quits.
 * 1) In the list of existing partitions and unpartitioned space, use the arrow keys to select the unpartitioned space selection that you want, and then press C.
 * 2) In the Create partition of size (in MB) box, type the size of partition that you want, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) Press ENTER to set up Windows Server 2003 on the selected partition.
 * 4) Use the arrow keys to select the file system that you want, and then press ENTER.

The partition is formatted.

Note: You can convert a partition that uses the FAT32 file system to the NTFS file system later.

Setup copies the files that are needed for Windows Server 2003 Setup, and then restarts the computer. Windows Server 2003 Setup resumes in Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode.
 * 1) On the Regional and Language Options page, click Next.
 * 2) In the Name box, type your name. In the Organization box, type your organization, and then click Next.
 * 3) In the Product Key boxes, type the product key, and then click Next.
 * 4) On the Licensing Modes page, click the licensing mode that you want, and then click Next.
 * 5) In the Computer name box, type the computer name that you want.

Note: The computer name must be unique on the network. It is helpful to use a computer name that is descriptive and unique.
 * 1) In the Administrator password box, type an administrator password. Type the same password in the Confirm password box, and then click Next.

Note: Use a strong password for the Administrator account.
 * 1) On the Date and Time Settings page, set the correct date, time, and time zone, and then click Next.
 * 2) On the Networking Settings page, click Typical settings (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
 * 3) Click No, this computer is not on a network, or is on a network without a domain, and then click Next.

Note: You can add the computer to a domain later by using the Network Identification Wizard from the System Properties dialog box in Windows.
 * 1) Log on to Windows with an account that has administrative privileges.
 * 2) To configure the server, use the Windows Server 2003 Configure Your Server Wizard.

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