I am trying to upgrad our server running Windows Server 2003 Standard R2 to Server 2008 Standard. I insert the DVD and get the splash screen that says "Install Now" button. After clicking on that button a grew background screen appears with a "Please wait" message. About 30-45 seconds later I get a message "Windows setup has experienced and unexpected error. To install windows, restart the installation" No error codes. Only an OK button to click which sends me back to the previous screen with the Install Now button. I have looked in the Windows directory at all the install log files listed on your website to check but only one has any text in it which is no help. I know the DVD media is not the issue because I tried another one.

1. You should meet some conditions, see here http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/archive/2008/02/01/ws2008-upgrade-paths-resource-limits-registry-values.aspx 2. What have you find in Event log(s) [errors and warnings] 3. What applications do you have on this server? Regards Milos

#1. I believe these conditions are met. We are running a dynamically mirrored set of HD's configured through the Windows server 2003 OS. #2. Only log that has any info in it is the setupact.log. Below is the text in it. 2012-01-13 12:32:15, Info [0x0a000a] UI Autorun:Autorun core successfully initialized!!! 2012-01-13 12:32:15, Info [0x0a000b] UI Autorun:Autorun UI successfully initialized!!! 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI AppWindow has layout style 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI NavWindow has layout style 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI NavWindow has layout style 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI Page with ID 2018 returned 0 for CanPageBeActivated with choice 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI Page with ID 2002 returned 0 for CanPageBeActivated with choice 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI Page with ID 1200 returned 1 for CanPageBeActivated with choice 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info UI Page with ID 1200 returned 1 for CanPageBeActivated with choice 0 2012-01-13 12:32:16, Info [0x0a011c] UI WizardDialogPost::SetActive 2012-01-13 12:32:19, Info [0x0a018e] UI Passing command line parameter ("E:\Sources\setup.exe /HideWelcome /uilanguage:en-US /targetlanguage:en-US") to IBS. 2012-01-13 12:33:44, Info [0x0a013b] UI Cancel rejected. Remaining on Page Install Windows. #3. Quickbooks Enterprise Server Manger.

Hi, Please check the following unsupported Upgrade Scenarios: l Upgrades to Windows Server 2008 R2 from the following operating systems are not supported: • Windows® 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows XP, Windows Vista®, Windows Vista Starter, or Windows 7 • Windows NT® Server 4.0, Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003 RTM, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 Web, Windows Server 2008 R2 M3, or Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta • Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems, Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems, Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems l Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (for example, x86 to x64) are not supported. l Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example, en-us to de-de) are not supported. l Cross-edition upgrades (for example, the Windows Server 2008 Foundation SKU to the Windows Server 2008 Datacenter SKU) are not supported. l Cross-build type in-place upgrades (for example, fre to chk) are not supported. After that, please refer to the following Microsoft TechNet article for how to upgrade to Windows Server 2008: Guide for Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755199(WS.10).aspx For more information, please also refer to the following Microsoft articles: Known Issues When Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731003(WS.10).aspx How to upgrade Windows Server 2003 R2 to Windows Server 2008 on a computer that includes a Baseboard Management Controller and a root-enumerated IPMI device http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953224 For more troubleshooting information, please refer to the following Microsoft link: Installing Windows Server 2008 - Troubleshooting http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755116(WS.10).aspx#BKMK_6 Regards,Arthur Li TechNet Community Support

Hello Arthur, I am not upgrading to server 2008 R2. I am upgrading to server 2008 standard. I previously checked that it was a valid upgrade path from server 2003 standard R2 to server 2008 standard. I have also previously done the exact same upgrade to another server with no issues.

Hi, I would like to confirm that have you check the following two articles I provided above? Known Issues When Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731003(WS.10).aspx Installing Windows Server 2008 - Troubleshooting http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc755116(WS.10).aspx#BKMK_6 If both troubleshooting articles cannot fix the issue for you, please perform the following troubleshooting suggestions: l Run System File Checker (Run the command: SFC /Scannow) l Repair the installation of Windows Server 2003 For the detailed steps, please refer to the section “How to Repair Your Installation of Windows” of the following Microsoft KB article: How to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325375 Regards,Arthur Li TechNet Community Support