SQL SERVER – 2008 – Step By Step Installation Guide

Remember to install the .Net Framework 3.5
Before you start the installation, you’ll need to install the .Net 3.5 Framework. This comes pre-installed on Windows 2008 Server

Step 1 : Double click the setup.exe

This will disappear from the screen and then the main installation page appears:

Step 2 : SQL Server Installation Center

Click on the Installation hyperlink on the left hand side of the screen:

Step 3 : SQL Server Installation Center
 

Click on the "New Server stand-alone installation" link on the right side of the screen:

After a minute or so (the timing will vary according to your system), the following screen appears:

Step 4  (optional) :
 
If any checks have failed, click on the Show details button or "View detailed report link" to find out the cause, correct it, then click on the Re-run button to perform the checks again.

Step 5 : Product key

 If all checks have passed, click on the OK button. After a few moments, the option to select the edition and to enter the license key (or “product key”) will appear. Note that the product key box may already be populated, depending on which edition you have. Don’t enter the product key we’ve shown here, it won’t work on your system!: 

STEP 6 : License Terms

Enter the product key into the box, or choose the free edition if you're evaluating SQL Server 2008, and click on the Next button:
Click in the "I accept the license terms" check box, then click on the Next button again.

STEP 7 : Setup Support Files

 
The following screen appears; click on the Install button:

STEP 8: Setup Support Rules
 
If all is well, the following screen appears:

 Click on the Next button again.

STEP 9 : Feature Selection
 
Select the features you want to install.
At a minimum, the following are useful (I'd argue essential), but what you need will depend on your needs:

Click on the Next button.

STEP 10 : Instance Configuration
 
After a short while the following screen appears:

For most installations, keep the default settings.
Click on the Next button.


STEP 11 : Disk Space Requirements
 
This screen just tells you if you have sufficient disk space on the drive you’re installing to, and what’s going to be installed where.

STEP 12 : Server Configuration
 
This step allows you to set up the service accounts that will be used to run SQL Server. If you have created Windows NT or Active Directory accounts for use with services, use these.

If not, then just to get the installation up and working, use the built-in Network Service account for all three services listed (this account does not require a password).

This allows SQL Server to start up after installation. However, it can be easily changed later to another account through the Services applet (Control Panel -> Administrator Tools -> Services):

STEP 13 : Database Engine Configuration – Account Provision
 
This screen allows you to set up database engine security.

Change the Authentication Mode to Mixed Mode unless you are certain you only need Windows-only authentication
If you pick Mixed Mode security, you must also enter a password for the sysadmin account (sa).

Enter and confirm a secure password for the sa account and keep it somewhere safe. Do not give it to any one you do not want to have access to the SQL Server.

STEP 14 : Error Usage Reporting
 
This screen simply asks if you want to send error information to Microsoft and can safely be skipped if you do not want to share any information.

Click boxes if you want to help Microsoft help you.
Click on Next again…


STEP 15 : Installation Rules
 
This screen simply checks if there are any processes or other installations running which will stop the installation of SQL Server 2008.

Click on Next again – you’re almost ready to install:

STEP 16 : Ready to Install
 
This screen summarises what you are about to install and gives you a last chance to cancel or change anything that’s wrongly configured:

Check that what’s being installed is what you want and then click on Install when you’re sure you want to start the installation process:

Installation Progress
 
SQL Server 2008 will now install. How long it takes depends on the speed of your machine, what load it’s under, the installation media (CD is slower) and what you’ve chosen to install.

Enjoy.....