THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS "DIVA"

 Create a migration answer file. Follow the steps on pages 19 through 23 in the Microsoft migration document. 

Collect the information for the migration answer file.

 Run the Answer File Tool. When you create a migration answer file, leave the Certificate authority name blank. For more information, see this blog post (http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2008/08/gotcha-using-sbs-2008-answer-file.html  ).

I never choose to install updates during the install process.  I can guarantee you that Microsoft does not test installs each time a new Patch Tuesday comes out.  And so far there's been no need to insert an update into the install routine early on.  You can patch AFTER the box is stood up.

Windows Live One Care is now defunct so I uncheck that.  Forefront is a 120 day trial.  So for me I'm not installing either one.

Then the part that is VERY VERY important

Leaving the cert name blank.

If you put in your domain name, you won't be able to choose your domain name when you run the domain wizard.  Leaving it blank means that the server will do what it needs to do.

c  Copy the answer file to removable media such as a USB memory card.

c  On the destination server, change the BIOS settings so the server will not boot from the type of removable media used to store the migration answer file.

In my case I'll be saving this answer file to a virtual floppy disk.

In the HyperV settings, choose and setup up a virtual floppy disk.

Then in the settings of the machine, browse to this location.

Then unattach it so it can be attached to the new SBS 2008 we will be building

 And now we're all set to start building the SBS 2008 box

So we start the boot process

And keep in mind that at this point you have to use tab and space bars in the HyperV if you are rdping into the box like I am

I don't put in a keycode at this point.  First off this is a trial run, and I prefer to enter the code in later anyway.  Just uncheck the "auto activate" box and tab over to the next and hit enter

Yes, I really don't want to put in a product key right now.

We only get a custom option

It starts to copy

It will then reboot

It will reboot again

And you'll start to see the normal blue screen boot up

Yes, I really do have a backup.  Several of them.

Now Check the date/time and make sure they are correct to you and your time zone.  The Time zone is VERY IMPORTANT as if they are majorly off the two systems can't domain join.

Then check your IP addresses, your gateway (where your router is)

On the next screen where it wants to confirm the business name details again... remember LEAVE THE CERTIFICATE AUTHORITY BLANK

The next screen will confirm your source server name .... and I'll showcase what I stupidly did wrong and what diagnostic things I did to help figure out what I did wrong in the next blog post.