Because of the countless bugs, flaws, and Micro$oft service releases in the Micro$oft Windows NT 4.0 Server operating system, one can not simply and haphazardly install services, service packs, and programs without resulting in a host of problems and system instability.
Services Covered:
NT 4.0 Operating System, Network Driver (Ethernet), Service Releases including patches, Device Drivers, Web, SQL services, and etc.
It is true that the order said items are installed is critical to achieve a stable server (by Micro$oft standards).
Setup should be done in this order to avoid common problems.
warning: This is not a newbie friendly guide. Assumed is a working knowledge of the Micro$oft Windows NT 4.0 Operating System.
SETUP
1) Install NT Operating System
procedure: partition and format drive C: no greater than 2GB in
size using a FAT16 with large disk support disabled.
command: lock c:
command: winnt /s:d:\i386 /t:c:\ /x /c /B
notes: The d: should be substituted by the letter of your CDROM
drive if not d.
warning: do not install IIS (Internet Information Server) when
prompted for this feature during the OS installation.
2) Install the device driver specific for your Ethernet adapter.
notes: This may be accomplished when prompted by the NT setup
process in Step #1. Supply your network address data
at this time also if available.
3) Install NT 4.0 Service Pack 4
notes: Although not the latest "sp" release, it is necessary to
install sp4 at this time before proceeding. Some versions
of Backoffice Server may automatically install sp4 at the
last stage of the Operating System setup. Check first
before you proceed. (see sp msg post during OS bootup)
4) Install the drivers specific to your video adapter.
5) Create any necessary extended partitions for hard drivers greater
than 2GB.
notes: extended partition size is not restricted to 2GB but the
computer's bios may restrict the size at some point on or
after the first 8GB IDE limitation.
suggestion: use NTFS as an alternative to FAT16 for your ext drvs
6) Upgrade the MSIE web browser to version 4.01 sp1 or higher.
notes: MSIE service pack 1 or higher will be necessary to install
SQL Server 7.0 on step #8.
7) Install Option Pack 4, which includes IIS the NT web server.
notes: Option Pack 4 not to be confused with Service Pack 4.
8) Install Micro$oft SQL Server 7.0 (or 6.5)
notes: run r:\sql70\x86\setup\Setupsql.exe (r=cdrom drive) warning: stop certificate and IIS services before running setup.
9) Apply the Service Pack 6a or latest subsequent release.
notes: Only tested verifiable with sp6a on either 64 or 128bit.
update: At the time this was posted Micro$oft offers a Post-
Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a Security Rollup Package
(SRP) (Q299444) filename: Q299444i.exe available on our
FTP site. Hotfixes released subsequent to July 26, 2001
will have to be obtained individually (not included).
10)Apply the SQL 7.0 service pack 3.
notes: applies only to Micro$oft SQL server version 7.0
You may now install other drivers such as Sound Card, Modem, or whatever hardware requires support.
After this point the server installation is fundamentally complete.
Last Updated: Fri Feb 15 14:13:40 CST 2002 Corrections/Questions/Comments Email: tech@robotz.com