Preliminary Check-list and other Misc items

For Windows 2003 and 2008 - Refer to Installation Checklist to follow the order of doing it

1. Make sure you have changed the default password to a strong one as per the guidelines
2. Make sure that Windows is activated
3. Make sure not connected to domain controller
4. Away in a secure place and secure power cable
5. No services like IIS and no server roles are installed
6. Installed with more than one partition (C: D:)
7. Make sure that the boot sequence is correct (CD,HDD,USB) ( Please see Solving failure to start a NEOSYS server due to disk failure message to fix "Boot Failure Error")
8. Ensure the Windows CD/ I386 folder is copied to C Drive
9. Make sure the system has a static internal IP address
10. All high priority Windows updates from Microsoft are installed
11. Automatic Windows update is configured for 3 AM
12. Make all desktop icons visible (right click on desktop > Personalise > Change desktop icons and tick Computer, User Files, Network, Recycle Bin and Control Panel)
13. Change the name of the server to NEOSYS
14. In Tools > Folder Options > View – Tick Show hidden files and folders and Un-tick Hide extensions
15. Check time zone and make sure it is set to the correct region of installation
16. Disable Autorun (all drives) – Run > gpedit.msc > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Auto Play Policies > Turn off Autoplay should be enabled for All Drives
17. Enable Audit Privilege Use – Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy > Local Policy > Audit Policy > Audit Privilege Use – Tick both Success and Failure
18. Rename D drive name to NEOSYS
19. Create shortcuts for Computer Management, D drive, Scheduled Tasks and Command Prompt in the Quick Launch area

For Windows 2008 (additional)

1. Rename Administrator to administrator (A should be in small caps)
2. Disable complex password settings under Local Security Policy (under Administrative Tools)