Bare Metal Rebuild of SBS 2003 - Advice

I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly to move
our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've had mother
board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD incidents and a
mysterious delay during start up that is now the "norm". HP/Microsoft/Trend
techs have all had there way with the server and recently we are having more
problems, so it's time to reload. I don't want to continue to spend hours
tracking down and resolving issues only to have another one pop backup.....

We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and hardware, and I
don't agree with the current MS philosophy of upgrade/upgrade/buy more
hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.

A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and I'm sure
that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again, but I wanted to
take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up for the task, and
even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.

Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and patching order
or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more simplified.

The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use a lot
of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload it and start
fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices and advice I've
accumulated here.....

--
Sean

Hi Sean...

The following should get you started...

1. Make sure you have all SBS 2003 media
2. Make sure you have the SBS install key
3. Make sure you have all CAL pack install keys
4. Make sure you have all 3rd party software (AV, etc.) install keys and
media
5. Have a good, FULL server backup using the SBS Backup Wizard (and a full
image of the server if possible)
6. Realize that your users will lose their desktops (Favorites, shortcuts,
customizations - copy each user's Favorites to a safe place)
7. Document, document, document any server hardware or software
customizations (partitions, partition sizes, location of Exchange,
Sharepoint and other databases, etc.)
8. Run through CEICW and do screen captures and save to a safe location
9. Make sure you have any required drivers (RAID, video, etc.) on floppy
disks
10. Make sure you know a local administrator username and password for each
workstation.
11. Redirect Folder Redirection back to each user's desktop
12. Uninstall AV software from client workstations (in case it relies on
the server for uninstall)
13. If less than, say, 10 users, log onto workstation as each user, open
Outlook and export their Exchange mailbox to a .pst. If more than 10 users,
things get a bit more complicated with transferring the Exchange databases.
Exmerge can also be used to export the mailboxes if they are less than 2 GB.
14. Create new RAID Array(s).
15. Insert SBS 2003 CD1 and complete Windows 2003 base install.
16. Reboot and complete SBS Setup to install all components.
17. If not included on SBS CDs, apply SBS 2003 SP1 (in the procedure
below, substitute Windows 2003 SP2 for SP1, Exchange 2003 SP2 for SP1,
Sharepoint 2003 SP3 for SP1)

How to install Service Pack 1 for SBS 2003
http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articl...-SBS-2003.aspx

18. Run a scan with SBS 2003 BPA and fix any problems it finds.

Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practices Analyzer
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

19. Now apply the latest Microsoft Security updates
20. Run another scan with SBS 2003 BPA and fix any issues.
21. Install 3rd party software on server (AV, Line of Business apps, etc.)
22. Set up new client workstation accounts and user accounts/initial
passwords on server
23. Set up Folder Redirection on the server for users
24. Log onto workstation and unjoin it from the old domain
25. Log on as local administrator and, using ConnectComputer, join each
computer to the new domain.
26. Log on the workstation as a user and set up their desktop.
27. Repeat for all workstations, all users.
28. Reinstall client AV software on workstations
29. Log on to workstation as each user, open Outlook and import their .pst
into their Exchange mailbox

If you use roaming profiles, disable these prior to beginning anything on
the server, log onto each workstation as user and make sure roaming profiles
have been disabled properly. Same for Folder Redirection.

If you have SBS 2003 Premium, ISA 2004 rules and SQL databases need to be
addressed before killing the current server. WSUS may also have to be
addressed.

Instructions for installing Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
on HP ProLiant servers
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su.../c00208458.pdf

Installation Checklist
http://www.mutechgroup.com/SBS%20Net...ion%20Form.pdf

Another Setup Checklist
http://blog.mpecsinc.ca/2008/01/sbs-...resources.html

(I'm sure I've missed a few things).

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================
"Sean" <> wrote in message
news:3BDF2A01-0C7F-4322-A565-...
> I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly to
> move
> our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've had mother
> board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD incidents and
> a
> mysterious delay during start up that is now the "norm".
> HP/Microsoft/Trend
> techs have all had there way with the server and recently we are having
> more
> problems, so it's time to reload. I don't want to continue to spend hours
> tracking down and resolving issues only to have another one pop
> backup.....
>
> We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and hardware, and
> I
> don't agree with the current MS philosophy of upgrade/upgrade/buy more
> hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.
>
> A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and I'm
> sure
> that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again, but I wanted
> to
> take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up for the task,
> and
> even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.
>
> Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and patching
> order
> or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more simplified.
>
> The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use a
> lot
> of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload it and
> start
> fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices and advice I've
> accumulated here.....
>
> --
> Sean

Sean said the following on 12-Nov-09 03:51:
> I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly to move
> our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've had mother
> board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD incidents and a
> mysterious delay during start up that is now the "norm". HP/Microsoft/Trend
> techs have all had there way with the server and recently we are having more
> problems, so it's time to reload. I don't want to continue to spend hours
> tracking down and resolving issues only to have another one pop backup.....
>
> We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and hardware, and I
> don't agree with the current MS philosophy of upgrade/upgrade/buy more
> hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.
>
> A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and I'm sure
> that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again, but I wanted to
> take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up for the task, and
> even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.
>
> Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and patching order
> or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more simplified.
>
> The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use a lot
> of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload it and start
> fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices and advice I've
> accumulated here.....

In addition to what Merv wrote I have made our Backup/Restore available
for all users so you don't need to subscribe to access it:

How to backup and restore SBS 2003:
http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articl...-SBS-2003.aspx

--
Regards,

Mariette Knap
Microsoft SBS-MVP
One of the Magical M&M's
www.smallbizserver.net
Take part in SBS forum: http://www.smallbizserver.net/Default.aspx?tabid=53

Great article. Thanks for making it public Mariette.

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:#...
> Sean said the following on 12-Nov-09 03:51:
>> I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly to
>> move our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've had
>> mother board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD
>> incidents and a mysterious delay during start up that is now the "norm".
>> HP/Microsoft/Trend techs have all had there way with the server and
>> recently we are having more problems, so it's time to reload. I don't
>> want to continue to spend hours tracking down and resolving issues only
>> to have another one pop backup.....
>>
>> We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and hardware,
>> and I don't agree with the current MS philosophy of upgrade/upgrade/buy
>> more hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.
>>
>> A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and I'm
>> sure that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again, but I
>> wanted to take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up for
>> the task, and even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.
>>
>> Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and patching
>> order or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more
>> simplified.
>>
>> The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use a
>> lot of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload it
>> and start fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices and
>> advice I've accumulated here.....
>
> In addition to what Merv wrote I have made our Backup/Restore available
> for all users so you don't need to subscribe to access it:
>
> How to backup and restore SBS 2003:
> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articl...-SBS-2003.aspx
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Mariette Knap
> Microsoft SBS-MVP
> One of the Magical M&M's
> www.smallbizserver.net
> Take part in SBS forum:
> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Default.aspx?tabid=53

WoW Merv. What a terrific summanry! Thanks

Also thanks to Mariette for that document!

"Merv Porter" wrote:

> Hi Sean...
>
> The following should get you started...
>
> 1. Make sure you have all SBS 2003 media
> 2. Make sure you have the SBS install key
> 3. Make sure you have all CAL pack install keys
> 4. Make sure you have all 3rd party software (AV, etc.) install keys and
> media
> 5. Have a good, FULL server backup using the SBS Backup Wizard (and a full
> image of the server if possible)
> 6. Realize that your users will lose their desktops (Favorites, shortcuts,
> customizations - copy each user's Favorites to a safe place)
> 7. Document, document, document any server hardware or software
> customizations (partitions, partition sizes, location of Exchange,
> Sharepoint and other databases, etc.)
> 8. Run through CEICW and do screen captures and save to a safe location
> 9. Make sure you have any required drivers (RAID, video, etc.) on floppy
> disks
> 10. Make sure you know a local administrator username and password for each
> workstation.
> 11. Redirect Folder Redirection back to each user's desktop
> 12. Uninstall AV software from client workstations (in case it relies on
> the server for uninstall)
> 13. If less than, say, 10 users, log onto workstation as each user, open
> Outlook and export their Exchange mailbox to a .pst. If more than 10 users,
> things get a bit more complicated with transferring the Exchange databases.
> Exmerge can also be used to export the mailboxes if they are less than 2 GB.
> 14. Create new RAID Array(s).
> 15. Insert SBS 2003 CD1 and complete Windows 2003 base install.
> 16. Reboot and complete SBS Setup to install all components.
> 17. If not included on SBS CDs, apply SBS 2003 SP1 (in the procedure
> below, substitute Windows 2003 SP2 for SP1, Exchange 2003 SP2 for SP1,
> Sharepoint 2003 SP3 for SP1)
>
> How to install Service Pack 1 for SBS 2003
> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articl...-SBS-2003.aspx
>
> 18. Run a scan with SBS 2003 BPA and fix any problems it finds.
>
> Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Best Practices Analyzer
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
> 19. Now apply the latest Microsoft Security updates
> 20. Run another scan with SBS 2003 BPA and fix any issues.
> 21. Install 3rd party software on server (AV, Line of Business apps, etc.)
> 22. Set up new client workstation accounts and user accounts/initial
> passwords on server
> 23. Set up Folder Redirection on the server for users
> 24. Log onto workstation and unjoin it from the old domain
> 25. Log on as local administrator and, using ConnectComputer, join each
> computer to the new domain.
> 26. Log on the workstation as a user and set up their desktop.
> 27. Repeat for all workstations, all users.
> 28. Reinstall client AV software on workstations
> 29. Log on to workstation as each user, open Outlook and import their .pst
> into their Exchange mailbox
>
> If you use roaming profiles, disable these prior to beginning anything on
> the server, log onto each workstation as user and make sure roaming profiles
> have been disabled properly. Same for Folder Redirection.
>
> If you have SBS 2003 Premium, ISA 2004 rules and SQL databases need to be
> addressed before killing the current server. WSUS may also have to be
> addressed.
>
> Instructions for installing Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
> on HP ProLiant servers
> http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su.../c00208458.pdf
>
> Installation Checklist
> http://www.mutechgroup.com/SBS%20Net...ion%20Form.pdf
>
> Another Setup Checklist
> http://blog.mpecsinc.ca/2008/01/sbs-...resources.html
>
> (I'm sure I've missed a few things).
>
> --
> Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
> ============================
> "Sean" <> wrote in message
> news:3BDF2A01-0C7F-4322-A565-...
> > I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly to
> > move
> > our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've had mother
> > board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD incidents and
> > a
> > mysterious delay during start up that is now the "norm".
> > HP/Microsoft/Trend
> > techs have all had there way with the server and recently we are having
> > more
> > problems, so it's time to reload. I don't want to continue to spend hours
> > tracking down and resolving issues only to have another one pop
> > backup.....
> >
> > We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and hardware, and
> > I
> > don't agree with the current MS philosophy of upgrade/upgrade/buy more
> > hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.
> >
> > A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and I'm
> > sure
> > that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again, but I wanted
> > to
> > take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up for the task,
> > and
> > even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.
> >
> > Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and patching
> > order
> > or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more simplified.
> >
> > The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use a
> > lot
> > of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload it and
> > start
> > fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices and advice I've
> > accumulated here.....
> >
> > --
> > Sean
>
> .
>

WOW!

I'm speachless, that was an incredibly thorough document! Thanks to Merv and
Mariette, I expect 50,000 single bits of advice and the joy of assembling
them into a checklist..... Now what will I do for the next 2 weeks..... oh
yeah... backups and archiving, and ....

I have about 20 workstations and about 30 users so it'll take a while to
re-enter everyone's profiles, but I get paid by the hour...

Thanks Again!
--
Sean


"Cris Hanna [SBS - MVP]" wrote:

> Gotta love the M&M's!!
>
> --
> Cris Hanna [SBS - MVP] (since 1997)
> Co-Contributor, Windows Small Business Server 2008 Unleashed
> http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Small-...7269967&sr=8-1
> Owner, CPU Services, Belleville, IL
> A Microsoft Registered Partner
> ------------------------------------
> MVPs do not work for Microsoft
> Please do not submit questions directly to me.
>
> "Merv Porter" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message news:...
> Great article. Thanks for making it public Mariette.
>
> --
> Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
> ============================
>
> "Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:#...
> > Sean said the following on 12-Nov-09 03:51:
> >> I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly to
> >> move our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've had
> >> mother board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD
> >> incidents and a mysterious delay during start up that is now the "norm".
> >> HP/Microsoft/Trend techs have all had there way with the server and
> >> recently we are having more problems, so it's time to reload. I don't
> >> want to continue to spend hours tracking down and resolving issues only
> >> to have another one pop backup.....
> >>
> >> We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and hardware,
> >> and I don't agree with the current MS philosophy of upgrade/upgrade/buy
> >> more hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.
> >>
> >> A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and I'm
> >> sure that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again, but I
> >> wanted to take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up for
> >> the task, and even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.
> >>
> >> Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and patching
> >> order or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more
> >> simplified.
> >>
> >> The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use a
> >> lot of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload it
> >> and start fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices and
> >> advice I've accumulated here.....
> >
> > In addition to what Merv wrote I have made our Backup/Restore available
> > for all users so you don't need to subscribe to access it:
> >
> > How to backup and restore SBS 2003:
> > http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articl...-SBS-2003.aspx
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Mariette Knap
> > Microsoft SBS-MVP
> > One of the Magical M&M's
> > www.smallbizserver.net
> > Take part in SBS forum:
> > http://www.smallbizserver.net/Default.aspx?tabid=53
>

Maybe something else to look at for migrating profiles...

Migrate Profiles on Small Business Server Networks
('The Easy Way' may be best)
http://www.certmag.com/read.php?in=819

--
Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
============================

"Sean" <> wrote in message
news:86B7CFDB-DE82-4C70-9BC7-...
> WOW!
>
> I'm speachless, that was an incredibly thorough document! Thanks to Merv
> and
> Mariette, I expect 50,000 single bits of advice and the joy of assembling
> them into a checklist..... Now what will I do for the next 2 weeks..... oh
> yeah... backups and archiving, and ....
>
> I have about 20 workstations and about 30 users so it'll take a while to
> re-enter everyone's profiles, but I get paid by the hour...
>
> Thanks Again!
> --
> Sean
>
>
> "Cris Hanna [SBS - MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Gotta love the M&M's!!
>>
>> --
>> Cris Hanna [SBS - MVP] (since 1997)
>> Co-Contributor, Windows Small Business Server 2008 Unleashed
>> http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Small-...7269967&sr=8-1
>> Owner, CPU Services, Belleville, IL
>> A Microsoft Registered Partner
>> ------------------------------------
>> MVPs do not work for Microsoft
>> Please do not submit questions directly to me.
>>
>> "Merv Porter" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:...
>> Great article. Thanks for making it public Mariette.
>>
>> --
>> Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]
>> ============================
>>
>> "Mariette Knap [SBS MVP]" <> wrote in
>> message
>> news:#...
>> > Sean said the following on 12-Nov-09 03:51:
>> >> I did the swing migration 1+ years ago and everything went smoothly
>> to
>> >> move our SBS to it's current home on an HP ML-350. Since then we've
>> had
>> >> mother board failures, a bought with Trend Micro and numerous BSOD
>> >> incidents and a mysterious delay during start up that is now the
>> "norm".
>> >> HP/Microsoft/Trend techs have all had there way with the server and
>> >> recently we are having more problems, so it's time to reload. I
>> don't
>> >> want to continue to spend hours tracking down and resolving issues
>> only
>> >> to have another one pop backup.....
>> >>
>> >> We're happy with 2003 it's still a good fit for our size and
>> hardware,
>> >> and I don't agree with the current MS philosophy of
>> upgrade/upgrade/buy
>> >> more hardware/upgrade.... So we are staying put for now.
>> >>
>> >> A lot has changed in the 3+ years we've used SBS 2003 standard and
>> I'm
>> >> sure that loading it up from scratch will be challenging....again,
>> but I
>> >> wanted to take some time and make sure I have everything rounded up
>> for
>> >> the task, and even plan for some of the issues I know will arise.
>> >>
>> >> Can anyone direct me to the "current" install procedure, and
>> patching
>> >> order or checklists.... or anything that will make my tasks more
>> >> simplified.
>> >>
>> >> The original install was done by a local consultant and we don't use
>> a
>> >> lot of the stuff that was installed so we've decided to just reload
>> it
>> >> and start fresh. Oh, and of course to apply all the best practices
>> and
>> >> advice I've accumulated here.....
>> >
>> > In addition to what Merv wrote I have made our Backup/Restore
>> available
>> > for all users so you don't need to subscribe to access it:
>> >
>> > How to backup and restore SBS 2003:
>> >
>> http://www.smallbizserver.net/Articl...-SBS-2003.aspx
>> >
>> > --
>> > Regards,
>> >
>> > Mariette Knap
>> > Microsoft SBS-MVP
>> > One of the Magical M&M's
>> > www.smallbizserver.net
>> > Take part in SBS forum:
>> > http://www.smallbizserver.net/Default.aspx?tabid=53
>>

Sean said the following on 13-Nov-09 16:58:

> I'm speechless, that was an incredibly thorough document! Thanks to Merv and
> Mariette, I expect 50,000 single bits of advice and the joy of assembling
> them into a checklist..... Now what will I do for the next 2 weeks..... oh
> yeah... backups and archiving, and ....
>
> I have about 20 workstations and about 30 users so it'll take a while to
> re-enter everyone's profiles, but I get paid by the hour...

Thanks Sean!

--
Regards,

Mariette Knap
Microsoft SBS-MVP
One of the Magical M&M's
www.smallbizserver.net
Take part in SBS forum: http://www.smallbizserver.net/Default.aspx?tabid=53