Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,
I just put my brand new Hitachi 7K200 in my TP and tried to clean install a trial version of Windows Server 2008 x64 (since I have a 64bit capable cpu) obtained directly from M$ (downloaded from here). When it came to the setup part, I got this error message: "The user´s password must be changed before logging on the first time". I tried to change the password, but it wasn´t - of course, otherwise I wouldn´t start a thread - accepted becuase it didn´t meet some criteria (I don´t remember the exact message, it was something about password lenght and some more things, so I indeed tried several different passwords, but so unfortunately to no avail). And so I was stuck in that big nothing. Right now, I´m typing from my Tp using my old Toshiba.
Any help is greatly appreciated!

Marin

EDIT: Do I need to have Windows Server 2003 installed in order to be able to install Windows Server 2008?

Moderator edit: fixed link

Hi, I don't really have an answer for you, just a couple thoughts.

server 2008 and server 2003 are completely separate, so you don'r need to have server 2003 installed. 2008 is built on the Vista engine.

we upgraded the server installations in a lab at college and we did not run into the problem that you describe. did you set up an administrator account when you installed? also which version did you use and what services are you wanting to run. we installed AD and DNS on a 2008 enterprise. IIS and FTP on 2008 web. the only real problem we ran into is you need Exchange 2007 to be compatible with 2008. Exchange 2003 will not work.

Update us further on any solution you find.

Scott

You may need to use a very strong password.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/s/strong_password.htm

Once you get into the OS you can change the requirement for strong passwords. Seems like i remember this from istalling 2003 server enterprise edition.

Marin85 wrote:(I don´t remember the exact message, it was something about password lenght and some more things, so I indeed tried several different passwords, but so unfortunately to no avail).

your password must meet complexity requirements.   it should use numbers, letters, at least one special character (!"#$%&'(), etc.), and be at least six characters long.   if it's not complex enough then it won't let you continue until you create a good enough password.

keep in mind that this is server software, not a generic desktop OS made for the masses.


edit: it looks like kyocera beat me to the response.   hehe

Hi, first off thanks for your replies, I really appreciate that! And because of that here is some update on the matter, say some more material for you Now, seriously, to the point:
Some of the passwords I created were quite strong (about 20 characters), but I forgot about the special character Thanks, btw, for the hint. However I could beat it by using vLite which has a basic support for all windows server editions. I used it for creating an unattended install and this worked fine with quite a simple password (vLite unfortunately doesn´t support the "tweaks part" for server 2008, so I let it out, otherwise it would have broken some essential features of the OS, in other words for those who might be reading this thread don´t use vLite to modify or tweak win server 2008). So far, so good.
I edited this post a few times! Don´t forget that windows server is a server OS! All my "post-install issues" were permanently solved by enabling the corresponding features in the server manager I should really get some sleep now, ´cause thinking becomes a very difficult thing...

Thanks again for your replies, guys! Very helpful, indeed!

Marin

password complexity requirements can easily be changed after the server is set up.   the setting for this is in the local security policy control panel, however i'd recommend training yourself to use better passwords instead.

regarding your list...
1) aero isn't installed by default.   remember, this is a server OS.
2) wireless isn't installed by default.   again, it's a server OS.
3) UAC isn't enabled because, once again, it's a server OS.

if you want to use 2008 as a workstation OS then you should read win2008workstation.com as it provides a lot of tips on converting it for workstation use.

i'm running 2008 EE x86 on my X300 and know how much of a pain it is to get everything set up correctly.   one thing you might run into is issues with suspend as it doesn't always work correctly because, as you guessed it, it's a server OS.

good luck!


(edit: fixed typo)

Erik, thanks a lot for the link, it really has some nice tips for my purpose Despite the hassle of taming this monster down I have to say I like it pretty much and I most definitively like it much more than my previous configuration BTW, I´m writing this from my new old TP

Marin

no problem.

does standby work correctly on your Z61p with 2008?

Yup, standby and hybernation work without a scratch so far Why, do you experience any issues with standby?
BTW, do you have any idea which features or policies might be applicable for skype, becauce I have right now some difficulties at making it run at all (it installs, but then it doesn´t want to launch for some reason). My guess is "basic TCP services", let´s check that...

Marin

EDIT: If you don´t mind, I changed the topic name since my "issues" weren´t really such

I think changing the thread's name is not a good idea.
Those involved/interested in the thread may not find it later, if they ever want to refer to it, because they remember the old name.

You´re right, RealBlackStuff, I easily forgot about the special characters. I put the old thread name back so that anybody who might experience the same "issue" can refer to it.
Update on my issue with skype: I googled a bit and found a user stating that no version later than 3.1 would work under Server 2008 SP1. I experimented a bit, skype 3.2 works fine, but anything later than 3.2 would crash.

Marin

A small update: these are some bench results with Matlab 2008: http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/30/m ... nchxa5.jpg
Unfortunately, I don´t keep my last benchmarking results with my old configuration (Vista Business x86 and Toshiba 120GB 5400rpm max 10MB/s) to upload them, but from what I tested I can definetely say that there is a significant difference in performance in the benchmarking (of course, in favour of my new configuration). So far, so good.
Another point: I enabled superfetch and indexing a few hours ago and after restart there was indeed some HDD thrashing, but actually not that much as let´s say with my old drive and Vista Business x86 SP1.

Marin

End of the story: I just came to realize that most of my desktop applications wouldn´s install because I need the server editions for all of them... I guess Vista Ultimate x64 is not that bad (as I´m running it right now )

Cheers

Marin