Preparing your system for a new installation

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Preparing your system for a new installation

This topic describes basic steps to take in preparing your server for a new installation.

If you are installing Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, or Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, on server cluster nodes, be sure to read Installing Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition on Cluster Nodes.

Checking the system log for errors

If the computer already has a working operating system, review the system log for recent or recurring errors (especially hardware errors) that could cause problems during the installation. For information about viewing event logs, see Help for the operating system on your computer.

Backing up files

Before you perform a new installation, it is recommended that you back up your current files, unless the computer has no files or the current operating system files have been damaged. You can back up files to a variety of different media, such as a tape drive or the hard disk of another computer on the network.

Uncompressing the drive

Uncompress any DriveSpace or DoubleSpace volumes before installing. Do not install Windows Server 2003 on a compressed drive unless the drive was compressed with the NTFS file system compression feature.

Preparing mirror sets and other disk sets (Windows NT 4.0 only)

With the disk management technologies in Windows NT 4.0, you could create volume sets, mirror sets, stripe sets or stripe sets with parity, each with specific capabilities and limitations. By using dynamic disks, introduced with Windows 2000, you can take advantage of similar technologies, and with Windows Server 2003, you can also extend dynamic volumes without repartitioning or reformatting.

This transition from the technologies used in Windows NT 4.0 means that you must make certain choices before running Setup for Windows Server 2003. For important information about these choices, see Working with volume, mirror, or stripe sets or stripe sets with parity.

Disconnecting UPS devices

If you have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to your target computer, disconnect the connecting serial cable before running Setup. Setup automatically attempts to detect devices connected to serial ports, and UPS equipment can cause problems with the detection process.