Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and WSS 3.0

I’ve been working with Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and WSS 3.0 for a chapter I’m writing for our upcoming Windows Server 2008 Unleashed for Sams Publishing. 

I had some trouble with the initial installation, so I thought I’d share some key points for people who want to play with it:

• If you install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 at the same time as any other role or feature that requires the computer to restart, the Windows SharePoint Services installation will fail. So basically, just install it by itself! The wizard will tell you which other roles need to be installed. 
• If you uninstall Windows SharePoint Services by using Server Manager, restart the computer, and then reinstall it, the reinstallation will fail. So, if it’s broken, roll back to your pre-install image (if you’re using virtual servers) or if using a physical server, start again!
• Manually creating a web application via the SharePoint admin website fails with an Access Denied error page. You have a better chance of success if you use the command line utilities.

Thanks to the following sites for the information:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/6/3/e63cf2f6-7f71-450b-8e4a-dace88e99456/relnotes.htm#EDDBHA

http://bobfox.net/spblog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=58

• Longhorn
• SharePoint
• Windows Server 2008