Preparing the Windows Server installations

Before you install Windows Server on intended domain controllers, perform these actions:

• Run the memory diagnostics from the Windows Server installation media: The Windows Server DVD allows administrators to check the RAM of physical and virtual machines to make sure that the memory used by the Windows Server installation is not faulty. Checking beforehand means you don't have to replace faulty memory after going live.
• Run sysprep.exe on cloned disks: When the Windows Server installation is the result of the cloning of a disk with a Windows Server installation on it, make sure the Windows Server installation is Sysprepped. You wouldn't want the SID of the cloned disk to become the SID for the new Active Directory forest or domain you might be creating.