Windows Server 2003, Setup Advice (Software)

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

Got a small problem, trying to setup a Windows 2003 server, and to be quite honest, I'm doing a terrible task on the software side of things. I've the server installed with Windows Server 2003, and its all patched and 100% up-to-date, but adding roles to the server is causing a bit of a headache.

While its wonderful that MS provides a nice "Server Management Console", and I can add the roles asily, doing so causes some things not to work in a way tha I expect.....expecially Active Directory.

Anyway, where would be best place to go with my problems? Is there a website or something that offers advice (in laymans terms) as to whee I'm going wrong, or a forums somewhee dedicated to helping clueless fools (me) in doing the first Win Server 2003 setup?

Cheers if you can offe any advice or suggestions.

/me goes back to reading "Teach Yorself Windows Server 2003 in 24 Hours".....

Edit: For various reasons I do actually need Active Directory working. Tried asking on another forum, but basically got told that "I should have just used a WinXP box, lol"... (nevermind the fact I already have the server, the software and it already up and running, albiet in a basic state)

 

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

Well, what's the problem that you come across when trying to install AD? Any on-screen errors / eventlog errors? How far are you getting through the installation process?

Post some details up and i'm sure the peeps on here will guide you through.

Oh its installed, Its just getting it all running as I want afterward thats the problem. Never used it before and its a bit of a headmelt.

Is there a step-by-step guide somewhere that I could work through and then come back if I get stuck?

 

[Le_Petit_Lapin]

Is this excercise purely for educational purposes?

Unfortunately not no, its for the parents business, they asked if I wanted to have a shot at it, before they called in a professional.

Thankfully there is no rush on it, so I get to do a bit of learning in my spare time.

Edit: The current problem is that when AD is installed it kills the servers network connection for some reason.