Windows 8 operating system does not boot or install on ESXi or ESX

I came across the below article from the Vmware site & found worth mentioning it here. It provides the resolution against issue happening during windows 8 installation on the Vmware. ESX or ESXi servers.

Symptoms

•     Windows 8 fails to boot or install on any version of ESXi or ESX
•     Windows 8 is not working
•     Cannot use Windows 8 in ESXi or ESX

Windows 8 operating system does not boot or install on ESXi or ESX

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/microsite.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=2006859&sliceId=2&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1

 

Windows 8 Customer Preview…Avaialble For Download

Windows 8 Server (GUI and Core)version is only available in x64 bit at the below link.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx?ocid=&wt.mc_id=TEC_108_1_33

Windows 8 customer preview client is available for the download both in x86 and x64 bit at the below link. But, it is not to be considered as final version.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso

Introducing Windows 8 Consumer Preview

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2012/02/29/introducing-windows-8-consumer-preview.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh670538.aspx

 

New Logo for windows 8 or Yet To Be Named

Microsoft has planned to redesign its windows logo for the upcoming windows 8/ Win 2012 or yet to be finalized its name. Windows 8 Consumer preview is releasing on 29th Feb 2012.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/02/17/redesigning-the-windows-logo.aspx

Requirements for Windows Server App Certification Program for windows 8

The Windows Server Application Certification Program has released this finalized requirements document to familiarize developers on how to validate the compatibility of their applications with the next release of Windows Server, code named Windows Server “8” Beta.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28961

Why Metro now rules at Microsoft

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57370910-75/why-metro-now-rules-at-microsoft/

Microsoft’s Windows Azure Active Directory plans takes shape

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsofts-windows-azure-active-directory-plans-takes-shape/11924?tag=mantle_skin;content

 

Promoting W2K12 As An DC In The New Forest

After reading various articles, i decided to try my hands on windows 2012 server edition too. I managed to download the vhd file available on the MSDN, created the VM using Vmware virtual machine 8 workstation to configure domain controller on windows 2012. Trying to promote the server as a DC, i thought of older way running it in run box, but i was not able to locate it and i can’t see anywhere to get it on my home screen. I tried to disable Metro interface first, since it is more suitable to the mobile devices then on servers desktop.

I then tried to look for the run/cmd window again i was not able to find those to disable metro UI. I was finally able to open windows explorer and typed cmd and wohaa..its popped it out and in same windows explorer, by typing regedit, it too appeared and finally able to disable metro UI locating below registry path.

Locate  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

Disable RPEnabled key to “0” from “1” shown in below image and to revert the setting configure the value back to “0”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now i got classic Start menu interface which I’m used to it. Then, i tried to configure AD using DCPROMO and i received below error. From the error it is understandable that you can’t execute dcpromo directly from run or cmd and you need to first install AD role from the server manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Server manager > Click Add role > Select check mark Active Directory Domain Services, click next select all default option and click finish. DO NOT check to install install DNS server at this time as this will give you error during prerequisite check and ultimately failing the dcpromo on the server. We will be installing DNS server service at the later stage.

You need to go to the dashboard and under roles and server groups , you will see  Roles listed. Click on more in-front of configuration requirement under Active Directory domain services.

 

If you notice in below image, you will find there is faded text written as “promote this server to a domain controller”. It took more than 10 mins to me to locate this option, firstly i need to scroll towards right and its was almost hidden.

 

Once i clicked on the “promote this server to a domain controller”, i got below screen and started my configuration.

 

I clicked next to proceed, but once i reached the windows to confirm installation, i found it has not provided me the option to configure Netbios name option. So, the fact is you can’t choose netbios name in the GUI, you need to use powershell script for that.

In the below screenshot the prerequisite is complete without any error and now click on the install button.

 

 

Close the console and server will be rebooted. Now the server is Domain Controller now…Enjoy playing with AD Now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windows 2012 server promised to offer lot more then previous version of the OS and it is going to be a revolution for the powershell users. Few features related with AD and windows 8 are:

• Remote DCPROMO capability.
• Running adprep on particular FSMO role will not be required in windows 8.
• GUI Interface for AD Recycle and fine grained password policy.
• Virtualization aware Domain controllers means virtualizing the domain controller using image or snapshot will not be issue any more.
• GUI can be turned on and off.
• Troubleshooting Replication cmdlets will be available  in the powersheell.
• Forcing group policy to single or multiple clients.
• New file format Refs (Resilient file system) support in the windows 8 .
• AD DS integration with Server manager console.
• Adprep is provided as a inbuilt functionality.

 

Windows 8 Developer Preview…Dcpromo

After reading various articles, i decided to try my hands on windows 8 developer edition too. I managed to download the vhd file available on the MSDN, created the VM using Vmware virtual machine 8 workstation to configure domain controller on windows 8. Trying to promote the server as a DC, i thought of older way running it in run box, but i was not able to locate it and i can’t see anywhere to get it on my home screen. I tried to disable Metro interface first, since it is more suitable to the mobile devices then on servers desktop.

I then tried to look for the run/cmd window again i was not able to find those to disable metro UI. I was finally able to open windows explorer and typed cmd and wohaa..its poped it out and in same windows explorer, by typing regedit, it too appeared and finally able to disable metro UI locating below registry path.

Locate  HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer

Disable RPEnabled key to “0” from “1” shown in below image and to revert the setting configure the value back to “0”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now i got classic Start menu interface which I’m used to it. Then, i tried to configure AD using DCPROMO and i received below error. From the error it is understandable that you can’t execute dcpromo directly from run or cmd and you need to first install AD role from the server manager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open Server manager > Click Add role > Select check mark Active Directory Domain Services, click next select all default option and click finish. DO NOT check to install install DNS server at this time as this will give you error during prerequisite check and ultimately failing the dcpromo on the server. We will be installing DNS server service at the later stage.

You need to go to the dashboard and under roles and server groups , you will see  Roles listed. Click on more in-front of configuration requirement under Active Directory domain services.

 

If you notice in below image, you will find there is faded text written as “promote this server to a domain controller”. It took more than 10 mins to me to locate this option, firstly i need to scroll towards right and its was almost hidden.

 

 

Once i clicked on the “promote this server to a domain controller”, i got below screen and started my configuration.

 

 

I clicked next to proceed, but once i reached the windows to confirm installation, i found it has not provided me the option to configure Netbios name option. So, the fact is you can’t choose netbios name in the GUI, you need to use powershell script for that.

In the below screenshot the prerequisite is complete without any error and now click on the install button.

 

 

 

Close the console and server will be rebooted. Now the server is Domain Controller now…Enjoy playing with AD Now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windows 8 promised to offer lot more then previous version of the OS and it is going to be a revolution for the powershell users. Few features related with AD and windows 8 are:

• Remote DCPROMO capability.
• Running adprep on particular FSMO role will not be required in windows 8.
• GUI Interface for AD Recycle and fine grained password policy.
• Virtualization aware Domain controllers means virtualizing the domain controller using image or snapshot will not be issue any more.
• GUI can be turned on and off.
• Troubleshooting Replication cmdlets will be available  in the powersheell.
• Forcing group policy to single or multiple clients.
• New file format Refs (Resilient file system) support in the windows 8 .
• AD DS integration with Server manager console.
• Adprep is provided as a inbuilt functionality.

 

Windows 8 developer edition is out

Windows 8 developer edition is out & can be downloaded from here , but features provided may or may not work depends on future release. Windows 8 offers lots of new features comparing to the windows 2008 R2 . It promises less memory utilization,better throughput and much faster then previous version of OS.

Mark has great listing of windows 8 features in details http://www.minasi.com/nws1109.htm

Windows 8 offers image based login comparing to old model of entering passwords. They got normal desktop changed to MetroUI with constant dynamic updating of favorite links like Facebook, weather stats, news etc. right on the desktop. Windows 8 promises lot more to be added and improved and promise value for money.

The major enhancement is including NIC teaming software with the OS, so no more third part software required for teaming in windows 8. Windows 8 offers GUI features in core edition which can be turned on and off based on the requirements like patch installations etc.

Form active directory load of new features has been added some are like remote DCPROMO, virtualization aware domain controllers, AD Recycle Bin/Fine Grained password management is included in ADAC GUI.

In Hyper-V some improvements are replicating VM from one Hyper-V host to another Hyper-V host w/o the need of any software, VM on file server, new VHDX format which is faster and allowing size of greater than 1 TB is possible etc.

Windows 8 promise lot more with the final release. I have not tested being busy with the client project, will add more materials on Windows 8, once i test in a lab.

Till then, enjoy the Windows 8 developer edition.