Had to do a pressing Windows 2008 install for a client in a bind.  They purchased a VLK through Open licensing – and lucky, it worked right away.  That’s where the luck stopped!

The server I was installing it on didnt have a DVD drive and unfortunately, they only DVD drive I have is in my workstation.  Download 2008 R2, burn it, turn off workstation, install DVD in server, boot.

Oh great.  R2 apparently is only 64-bit and this old beastie server is only 32-bit.  Go to VLSC and download Server 2008 SP2 x86/x64.  Over 2 gigs — another 1.5 hours.  Reinstall DVD burner in workstation, burn it, turn off workstation, install DVD in server, boot.

Lovely!  The DVD isn’t bootable.  Turn off server, re-install DVD burner in workstation, investigate.  Nice!  I just downloaded a 2 gigabyte SERVICE PACK!  Woohoo.

Download Windows Server 2008 WITH service pack 2 (I missed the WITH before).  Another 1.5 hours.  Burn it, turn off workstation, install DVD in server, go to bed.

I think I should’ve just skipped to the “go to bed” part

Posted in Sysadmin Tales