Error message when you install SQL Server cluster on Windows Server 2003-based computers where Terminal Services is installed: "Setup failed to perform required operations on the cluster nodes" (301520)

SYMPTOMS

You cannot install SQL Server clusteron a computer that runs Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and that has Terminal Server installed on a server cluster. After you provide all the correct information to SQL Server Setup program (and provide the VirtualServer name, IP address and licensing information), you may receive the following error message:

Setup failed to perform required operations on the cluster nodes.

You may also receive one of the following error messages in the SQLSTP or the SQLCLST log files:

Process Exit Code: (2) The system cannot find the file specified.

-or-

13:28:59 C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\SqlSetup\Bin\remsetup.exe C:\Documents and Settings\user name\WINDOWS\remsetup.ini
13:28:59 Process Exit Code: (-1) 13:28:59 Begin Action : GetRemsetupRetCode
13:28:59 Installation return status on HQUCHBI040 : -1
13:28:59 Installation return status on HQUCHBI041 : -1

CAUSE

The Windows Server 2003-based computer that has Terminal Server installed causes the SQL Server Setup to try to copy files to the Windows folder of the user who is currently logged on instead of the Windows (%SystemRoot%) folder. If the administrator is logged on, the path is similar to the following path:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Windows

MORE INFORMATION

Clustered instances of SQL Server 2000 or of SQL Server 2005 are not supported for installation on Windows Server 2003 if the Terminal Server component is installed. Although "Remote Desktop" is a related techonology, its configuration and use do not usually affect SQL Server. Only the Terminal Server component (installed through the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel) prevents SQL Server from being installed.

For more information about SQL Server cluster and Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server Application Server operating systems, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

327270 SQL Server 2000 Is Not Supported on Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server Application Server

Note The preceding information does not apply to the use of a Windows 2003 terminal session for remote administration. SQL Server Setup is fully supported when you are running Setup from a remote administration terminal session. Windows Server 2003 does not require the installation of Terminal Services from Add/Remove Programs for remote administration. Remote administration can be enabled on the Remote tab of the System tool in Control Panel.

For additional information about Terminal Services and Remote Desktop, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

282936 Terminal Server Options Are Not Listed in Add/Remove Programs In Control Panel

For general information about how to install SQL 2000 on a server cluster, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/productdoc/2000/