How to slipstream SQL Server 2008 R2 and a SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

With the release SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1, I have compiled the list of steps to create a slipstream drop. Once you have created this slipstream drop, you can install the original release of SQL Server 2008 R1 and SP1 at the same time. The slipstream functionality performs a single installs that is quicker when compared to installing the original release and then applying the service pack. Additionally this slipstream drop fixes any Setup issues that prevent a successful installation or upgrade that has been addressed in SP1. See this KB2528583 for a list on fixes in Service Pack 1. This slipstream drop is for new installation or upgrades,. To patch existing SQL Server 2008 features, download SP1 from the download center or obtain from Microsoft Update when available.

 

Here are the steps:

1. Copy your original SQL Server 2008 R2 source media to C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1

2. Download the SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 packages from here. You need to download all Service Pack 1 architecture packages:

  • SQLServer2008R2SP1-KB2528583-IA64-ENU.exe
  • SQLServer2008R2SP1-KB2528583-x64-ENU.exe
  • SQLServer2008R2SP1-KB2528583-x86-ENU.exe

3. Extract each of the SQL Server 2008 SP1 packages to C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP as follows:

  • SQLServer2008R2SP1-KB2528583-IA64-ENU.exe /x:C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP
  • SQLServer2008R2SP1-KB2528583-x64-ENU.exe /x:C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP
  • SQLServer2008R2SP1-KB2528583-x86-ENU.exe /x:C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP

Ensure you complete this step for all architectures to ensure the original media is updated correctly.

4. Copy Setup.exe from the SP extracted location to the original source media location. Here is the robocopy command:

  • robocopy C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1 Setup.exe

6. Copy all files not the folders, except the Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll, in C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP\<architecture> to C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\<architecture> to update the original files. Here is the robocopy command:

  • robocopy C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP\x86 C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\x86 /XF Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll
  • robocopy C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP\x64 C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\x64 /XF Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll
  • robocopy C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\SP\ia64 C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\ia64 /XF Microsoft.SQL.Chainer.PackageData.dll

7. Determine if you have a DefaultSetup.INI at the following locations:

  • C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\x86
  • C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\x64
  • C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\ia64

If you have a DefaultSetup.INI at the above locations, add the following lines to each DefaultSetup.INI:

PCUSOURCE=".\SP"

 

If you do NOT have a DefaultSetup.INI, create one with the following content:

;SQLSERVER2008 R2 Configuration File

[SQLSERVER2008]

PCUSOURCE=".\SP"

and copy to the following locations

    • C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\x86
    • C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\x64
    • C:\SQLServer2008R2_SP1\ia64

This file will tell the setup program where to locate the SP source media that you previously extracted.

8. Run setup.exe as you normally would.

 

How can I tell I am slipstreaming:

1) You should see the "Update Setup Media Language Rule" on the Installation Rules dialog:

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2) On the Ready to Install dialog, the Action will indicated (“Slipstream”):

image

3) You will see the PCUSource parameters specified in the Summary log:

image

4) Results from SQL Discovery Report launched from Installation Center (first CU for SP1)

image