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, but for earlier versions of Windows, you’ll need to install it first. This is a straightforward pre-requisite and is usually included as part of the SQL Server 2008 installation. However, if you don’t know how to do this, or for some reason you need to download it, check out the guide Installing .Net Framework 3.5 for SQL Server 2008.
Once this Framework in installed you can commence the installation of SQL Server 2008.
STEP 1 : Copy the installation files
First off I’d recommend you copy the entire directory structure from the SQL Server 2008 installation disc to the C: drive of the machine you are going to install it on.
Although this means you need to grab a cup of coffee whilst it’s copying, this has three advantages:
- It makes the installation process much faster than running it from CD/DVD once it gets started.
- It allows you to easily add or remove components later, without having to hunt around for the CD/DVD.
- If your media is damaged and a file won’t copy, you get to find out now, rather than halfway through the installation.
