How to Downgrade a New Windows 2008 Standard R2 Server to Windows 2008 Server Standard original version (Basic Steps)

Note: As of the original writing of this article (6/30/2011) Microsoft had acknowledged to OneSource Software that problems exist (which causes the system to randomly freeze for 15-180 seconds when searching for records in drop down combo boxes) when using Access 2003, 2007, and 2010 with Microsoft Windows Server R2 (or Windows 7).  A few months later they contact OneSource Software again and notified us that they had provided a fix for the problem for users of  Office 2010 Pro with SP1 installed. Please visit this article for more information, as downgrading your server may no longer be necessary.

The following is a basic checklist (for an experienced Network Administrator to follow) to downgrade a NEW, fresh Windows Server 2008 Standard R2 install (WITH NO CUSTOMER DATA on the server) to the previous edition of Windows Server 2008 Standard (64 bit) for use with OneSource Software:

1. Download Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition (64-bit) original release (NOT the R2 version) from the Microsoft Open License website (using the URL's provided with the licenses emailed to you) and create a DVD image that can be used to re-install an operating system on the server.
2. Download Microsoft Office 2010 Professional from the Microsoft Open License website (using the URL's provided with the licenses emailed to you) and create a DVD image that can be used to install the software on the server.
3. Insert the 'Start Here' disk that shipped with the Server  (which contains the Dell 'Open Manage' application or equivalent from other vendors) and reboot the server and press F11 (or equivalent key) to boot from the DVD.
4. Follow the prompts to create a Raid 5 array with 1 single, large drive for the operating system AND OneSource.  (Note: Since the primary purpose of the server will be to function as a Terminal Server (Remote Desktop Services) server, and since all users will have 'desktops' on the server (that make use of the same drive that the operating system is on) it is very important to make 1 large drive to be shared by the operating system and OneSource).
5. After the Raid array has been created, continue to follow the prompts to install the operating system.
6. Install Remote Desktop Services (Terminal Server) and licenses.
7. Install Microsoft Office Professional 2010.
8. Run Microsoft Update to fully patch Windows and MS Office.
9. Create 'Group Policy' if desired, to limit with normal users can do on the server (depending on your security requirements)
   
10. Create a new Users Group called OneSource Users.
11. Create a new folder (on the C drive ) called OneSource and give the OneSource Users group Read, Write, List, and Read & Execute rights.
12. Create a new Windows user account for each desired OneSource User and put each user in the OneSource Users and Remote Desktop Users groups.
• Create new OSAdmin user account with password of ChangeThisPassword!
• Put the OSAdmin user account in the OneSource Users, Remote Desktop Users, and Administrators security groups.
13. Login to each User Account via Remote Desktop (so the 'desktop' files are created).  (If necessary, change settings in Group Policy to allow non admin users to login via Remote Desktop).
14. When finished, send list of users to support@onesourcesoftware.com (so we can finish the OneSource setup and installation).
15. Install any other application and utilities to help manage and protect the server (such as Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Backup Software, Backup Routines, etc)
16. Install and test network printers for use with Terminal Server.
17. Setup Remote Desktop Icon on each users desktop (with a few particular settings).
    

Please contact Steve Childs with OneSource Software at  (801) 748-4804 with any questions that you may have.

Related Topics:

• Printing problems when using Remote Desktop from a remote location. 
• Setting up and configuring a Remote Desktop (Terminal Server) Icon for Users.