Dell Technologies Server Troubleshooting Guide

Install Windows Server by using operating system media

1. Connect a keyboard, monitor, mouse, and any additional peripherals to your system.
2. Turn on your system and any attached peripherals.
   Several BIOS screens are displayed during startup, but do not require any user intervention.

   NOTE:This method of installation is supported in the BIOS and UEFI modes.
3. Insert the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 or 2016 media into the DVD drive.
   The following message is displayed:

   Loading Files

   NOTE:If a Windows operating system is installed on your system, the following message is displayed:

   Press any key to boot from the CD/DVD ... Press any key to begin the installation

4. After the files are loaded, click the appropriate language that you want to deploy.
   NOTE:This screen is not displayed for the Simplified or Traditional Chinese operating system.
5. On the Windows Setup screen, select the appropriate Language, Time & Currency, and the Keyboard or Input values, and then click Next.
6. On the Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2016 screen, click Install Now.
   The Operating System Install screen is displayed.
   NOTE:In Windows Server 2012 R2 or 2016 Essentials edition, on clicking Install Now, the License terms window is displayed.
7. On the Select the operating system you want to install screen, select the operating system from the available list, and click Next.
   The license terms window is displayed.
8. Read through the license agreement information. If you agree with all the information, select I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
9. On the Which type of installation do you want screen, select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) if it is not selected already.
10. On the Where do you want to install Windows screen, specify the partition on which you want to install the operating system.
    To create a partition and begin installation:

    1. Click Drive options (advanced) > New.
    2. Specify the size of the partition in MB, and click Apply. The following message is displayed:

       To ensure that all Windows features work correctly, Windows might create additional partition for system files

    3. Click OK.
       NOTE:The recommended minimum partition size for the Primary partition Standard, Datacenter, Foundation Edition is 40 GB and for the Essentials Edition is 60 GB. If you are installing extra memory on your system, you may require more primary partition space to accommodate page file and hibernation. During installation, a recommended partition size is displayed on the screen based on the memory size of your system. Follow the instructions on the screen. If you select Core installation, you may require less hard drive space for the Primary partition. For information on drive partitioning see the Partitioning a drive section.
11. Select the newly-created operating system partition, and click Next.
    After the operating system is installed, the system reboots. Set the administrator password before you can log in for the first time.

    NOTE:For Windows Server 2012 R2 or 2016 Essentials edition, after the installation is complete you must configure the system before setting the administrator password.
12. To configure your system for Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials edition:
    1. After reboot, the Set Up Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials page is displayed. Click Change system date and time settings to select the date, time, and time zone settings for your server and click Next.
       The Choose server installation mode page is displayed.
    2. On the Choose server installation mode page, select the appropriate installation mode, and provide the required data. For a new installation, select Clean install. Proceed with required inputs to configure your install.

       For detailed steps on configuring your Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials install, see Technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sbs/jj159331.aspx.

    3. Create the Administrator user account and Standard user account and complete the installation.
13. To configure your system for Windows Server 2016 Essential Edition:
    1. After reboot, the Windows Server 2016 Essentials dashboard is displayed. Click Change system date and time settings to select the date, time, and time zone settings for your server, and then click Next.
       The Company Information screen is displayed.
    2. On the Company Information screen, type the appropriate details for the company name and the server name.
       Click Next to go to the Create Network Admin account screen.
    3. Create the network administrator with required account name and password. On the next screen, select Use recommended settings, and then click Next to complete the configuration.
    The system reboots and configures to essentials.
14. On the Settings screen, type the password, confirm the password, and click Finish.
    The system is locked.
15. The system is locked now, and you can log in to the system by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
16. After reboot, the system is locked and you can log in to the system by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
17. Type the administrator password, and then press Enter to log in to the system.