Installing Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 via USB thumb drive

 

I planned to format my server to Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 but realize my DVD rom has faulty which I don’t think I want to replace it since I hardly use since 3 years ago. Therefore it is time for me to make use of my 8GB USB thumb drive which I‘ve received during Microsoft DDC training.

Just a simple few step and command.

1. Format USB thumb drive to FAT32 using diskpart.

2. Refer to below command

Diskpart select disk 1 {or the number of your USB key!} clean  create partition primary select partition 1 active format fs=fat32 assign exit

3.Additional command

E:\boot\bootsect.exe /NT60 h:

More detail:- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749177(WS.10).aspx

4. Execute below command to copy all contents from dvdrom to usb thumb drive. You can copy direct using GUI but make sure hidden files is selected as well.

xcopy E:\*.* /s /e /f h:\

Note:

E drive= my laptop dvdrom

H drive= my USB thumb drive

5. Configure the server to boot from USB on the BIOS.

6. Plug the USB thumb drive at the rear of the server. Sometimes, I try to plug on the front but it wont boot. Therefore, just try whichever is working for you.

Since then, I just carry USB thumb drive when I want to install Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (full installation) rather than CD. Nice and neat !