Introduction

Installing lower version SQL Server on a higher version of Windows Server may be problematic at times of installation. Recently we have faced such a scenario. We are sharing installation steps to overcome the problem. At the initial phase of the install, you’ll see a warning dialog of compatibility issues with SQL Server 2008 and 2008R2.

Compatibility issues

If we run SQL Server 2008 or 2008R2 setup on Windows server 2012R2 then we may get bellow notification as a popup window. Two options will be in front of us, 1) Get help online & 2) Run the program without getting help.

If we click on ‘Get help online‘

We may get below the popup window. It’s so funny !!!

Next option is to ‘Run the program without getting help‘

Here we will be suggested to install .NET Framework 3.5.

Installing .NET Framework 3.5

For installing .NET Framework 3.5 we need a Windows Server 2012R2 DVD ISO file. Right click on ISO file and mount windows server 2012R2 DVD ISO as a drive.

We will get the ISO file as a drive as shown in below image. Double click on DVD Drive or Right-click and open in a new window.

Click on ‘Source‘ folder then ‘sxs‘ folder

Copy the location of the ‘sxs‘ folder & save somewhere in notepad.

Now, double on ‘Server Manager‘

We will add the .NET Framework 3.5 feature through the Add Roles and Features Wizard in Server 2012 (R2). Click ‘Next’ after appearing the below window.

By default, the installation type will be ‘Role-based or feature-based installation’. Click Next.

In the server Selection option need to select the SERVER. Here ‘m1’ is the target server. Click Next

Nothing to select in Server Roles section, Click Next

In Features section we need to select .NET Framework 3.5 Features

Here we need to ‘Specify an alternate source path‘. Click on the text ‘specify an alternate source path’ at the left bottom corner of the window.

Below windows will appear, we need to paste that location, which we have saved it in notepad previously.

Paste the location path and hit OK

Installation process started.

Installation succeeded. Hit the close button.

Install SQL Server 2008 R2

Mount MS SQL Server ISO

Open the drive & Double click ‘setup’

Trying recommended setting

Click Test the program… & after that click Next.

Select No, try again using different settings

Select the first option

If you know the windows version on which SQL Server 2008R2 work properly then select that version, but if you don’t know then select ‘I don’t know’

By default Windows compatibility mode will be Windows XP (SP3). Then select Test the program…

If the installation window popup & open, then the problem is fixed. Select ‘Yes, save these setting for this program’

Below window will popup, click OK

In the ‘Planning’ section we need to RUN ‘System configuration checker’

Setup Support Rules report must be all green & pass. The warning also can be accepted.

In the ‘Installation’ section select the first option ‘New installation….’

Again Setup Support Rules will check

Now its time for Product Key. Paste key or select free edition.

Read License Term, accept it & click Next.

Click ‘Install’

Again Setup Support Rules check report.

By default ‘SQL Server feature Installation‘ is selected.

Select the features as per your requirement. Here we have selected all.

Again Installation Rules check

Provide SQL Server instance name or left blank for its default name

Disk Space Requirement, check it

Provide ‘Service Account‘ and ‘Password‘ under which Database Engine and other services will run.

In Database Engine Configuration we can select Authentication Mode. Depending on the requirement we may select Windows authentication mode or Mixed mode. Next, we need to specify SQL Server Administrator, here we have Add Current User.