Install SQL Server 2008 with SP2 built-in (slipstream installation)

There are many situations where you want to install SQL Server 2008 with the latest service pack built-in, to solve bugs of the installation process.

One of those cases is the installation in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in a clustered environment.

The process of installing the original SQL Server 2008 with the Service Pack at the same time is called splistream, and it's described here:

• First, be sure to download the SQL Server 2008 ISO from the Microsoft site, along with the latest Service Pack for SQL Server 2008.

• In the Service Pack ISO, you will find a file with a similar name to this one:
  
  SQLServer2008SP2-KBXXXXXX-x64-ENU.exe

• Choose the one that is for your CPU architecture (x86 or x64) and extract it with the following command:
  
  SQLServer2008SP2-KBXXXXXX-x64-ENU.exe /x:C:\SP2
  
  Be sure to choose a path with no spaces, or you will have issues later on.

• Before starting the SQL Server 2008 installation, be sure to install the SQL Support files, so that you won't have problems in the installation.
  
  This file should be in C:\SP2\x64\setup\1033\sqlsupport.msi.
  
  The installation is pretty straight-forward (just next-next...)

• Now you just have to start the setup from the original SQL Server 2008 files, with the following command line:
  
  Setup.exe /PCUSource=C:\SP2

• You can validate that you are installing correctly if in the "Ready to install" screen of the SQL Server 2008 installation, there is a "Slipstream" item in the "General Configuration" section.
  
  

Happy SQL Server 2008 configuration!