We had an interesting problem on a recent project where SQL Server 2005 wouldn’t install on a Windows 2008 R2 failover cluster.   The cluster validates properly however when installing SQL Server 2005, the install  threw an “User has cancelled the installation” error.  The logs showed that communications to the remote node were failing:   [...]

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Open the command prompt and navigate to %windir%\System32 directory slmgr.vbs -cpky (this clears the KMS entry you may have) slmgr.vbs -upk (this removes any product key installed) slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (where the x’s are the new product key you want to use) slmgr.vbs -ato (this activates the server) Type slmgr.vbs for further options….

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After using Windows 2003 for so long, I was used to going to Add/Remove Programs to turn off IE ESC.  It’s different in Windows 2008: Select the root of the Service Manager navigation pane, and under the Server Summary click Configure IE ESC, which is part of the Security Information section. A dialog box appears, [...]

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