VMware

Windows Server 2003 documentation covers information on how to install the operating system in a virtual machine. For additional information about the operating system, refer to the instructions included in the installation media.

Windows Server 2003 documentation includes the following topics:

Installation Instructions

You can install Windows Server 2003 in a virtual machine using the corresponding Windows Server 2003 distribution CD.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, verify that the following tasks are complete:

  • Read General Installation Instructions for All VMware Products.
  • Create and configure a new virtual machine.
  • If you are using the virtual LSI Logic SCSI adapter, Windows Server 2003 installs the SCSI driver when you install the guest operating system. If you are using the virtual BusLogic SCSI adapter, you need a special SCSI driver available from the download section of the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/download. Follow the instructions on the Web site to use the driver with a fresh installation of Windows Server 2003.
  • If you have a virtual machine with a SCSI virtual disk and an earlier Windows guest operating system and want to upgrade it to Windows Server 2003, install the new SCSI driver before upgrading the operating system.

Installation Steps

  1. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD in the CD-ROM drive.
  2. Power on the virtual machine to start installing Windows Server 2003.
  3. (Optional) If you are using the virtual BusLogic SCSI driver downloaded from the VMware Web site, you must add an additional driver.
    1. As the Windows Server 2003 installer loads, press the F6 key.
    2. This allows you to select the additional SCSI driver required for installation.
    3. Press S to specify the additional driver.
    4. Press Enter to continue with the installation.
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
  5. Install VMware Tools.

After installation, consider the following support and configuration issues for a Windows Server 2003 guest.

Installing Missing Multimedia Audio Controller in a Windows Server 2003 Guest

If an Internet connection is not available while installing a Windows Server 2003 guest, the driver for the multimedia audio controller is not installed. The Windows Device Manager indicates that the driver for the multimedia audio controller is missing. To install the required driver, configure an Internet connection, and run Windows Update on the Windows Server 2003 virtual machine.

VMware Tools in an Windows Server 2003 Guest

For information on VMware Tools, see Knowledge base article 1014294, General VMware Tools installation instructions, at http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1014294.

Knowledge Base Articles for Windows Server 2003

The following link refers to knowledge base articles on operating system specific issues. See VMware Knowledge Base for a list of known issues about the operating system.

VMware Compatibility Guide

The VMware Compatibility Guide Web site lists supported guest and host operating systems and provides related support information.


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