SQL 2008 on Windows 2008 R2

Only SQL 2008 SP1 is supported on Windows 2008 R2.

If you tried installing SQL 2008 from its DVD\ISO you surely got this error message:

In order to install SQL 2008 together with SP1, follow these Steps:

1. Install the prerequisites of SQL 2008:
   • .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (from Server Manager --> Features --> .Net Framework 3.5.1 Features)
   • Windows Installer 4.5
2. Extract the service pack to a folder on the server using the following command:
   • SQLServer2008SP1-KB968369-x64-ENU.exe /x:C:\SQL2008SP1
3. Run the service pack to install the Setup files
   • C:\SQL2008SP1\x64\setup\1033\sqlsupport.msi
4. Run the Setup.exe file from the SQL 2008 source media by specifying the /PCUSource parameter:
   • Setup.exe /PCUSource=C:\SQL2008SP1