Introduction
Back when I originally started using SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Management Tools it had been on my Windows Home Server Version 1 before I decided to make the move to Windows Home Server 2011. Since I don’t think Window Home Server Version 1 is not going to disappear anytime soon and a lot of people use different applications that require a Database and Management Tools that I would do a how to article for Windows Home Server Version 1 as well. As you can see in the Prerequisites there are some variations from doing the installation on Windows Home Server 2011 including certain hotfixes being installed and insuring all current Microsoft Updates are up to date as well, However it will still do the same job as Windows Newer Line of Server Operating Systems.
Prerequisites
– A Windows Home Server Version 1 with at least a Intel Dual Core or AMD equivalent and 2GB’s of system Memory.
– Download Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 for Windows Server 2003.
– Download the 32 bit installer of the SQL 2008 R2 Express with Management Tools. (The software is free but you will most likely have to register with a Windows Live account).
– Insure that Your Home Server Version 1 has all current updates from both Windows and Microsoft Update
– A Separate Drive (Internal and not External) that is NOT APART OF THE DE (DRIVE EXTENDER) POOL.
– Remote Desktop or Keyboard, Mouse, and Monitor.
Before You Start
Do a backup of your system drive before you begin the installation just in case the install does not go as planned and the registry somehow gets damaged.
Disclaimer
The How to information is intended as a guide or helping resource to those who are trying to install SQL 2008 R2 Express with Management Tools on their Windows Home Server Version 1. There is no 100% guarantee that this will install correctly the 1st time installing this application on your home server and there is the slight chance of registry damage to your home server Operating System. I assume no responsibility for any consequences of the install and the user will assume the full risk of any adverse effects of a bad installation.
Installation Instructions
1) Power down your Windows Home Server
2) Install a Secondary Hard Drive (internally and not externally), Once completed power on your Home Server.
3) Once your Home Server has booted up login either via Remote Desktop or Console.
4) Upon successful login right click on “My Computer”, and click on “Manage”.
Note 1 – You will not be adding this drive into the DE (Drive Extender) Pool.
5) If this is a new drive your home server will automatically start the “Initialize” Disk Box as seen below, click “Cancel” (We will not be converting the Disk to “Dynamic”).
A good overview for installing SQL Server and great to point out that while using a single service account isn’t ideal it can be acceptable for a scenario like this.
The only part I would change is that running SQL Server under an account with administrative privileges is opening up an attack vector and should be avoided no matter what the scenario. I appreciate this is only a home server but I would strongly recommend using a standard user account. A standard user account is of even greater importance given that each service is using a shared account.
Thanks Jason for your comments and overview of my article.
As pointed out in Note 4 in my article I do acknowledge not using another account for the service account would normally would not be advised. However, If the home server owner wants to create another account spefically for the SQL instance out of thier pool of 10 to replace the administrator account than they can do so.
But, if they need that 10th account for another user the administrator is still the better alternative than the guest account since the guest account is easier to be broken into if enabled and in some ways can be more dangerous than the Administrator account.
Again, thanks for the comments.