vCenter server 4.1 won't install on Windows Server 2008 R2

[RaymondXie]

I just downloaded vCenter server 4.1 and tried to install it on my windows server 2008 R2 (64-bit), and the installation program always gave me this error:

Description: Product: VMware vCenter Server -- This product can only be installed on the following 64-bit operating systems:
Windows XP SP2 or above
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2008.

After I clicked ok, then the installation process just stopped.  I browsed online for a few hours but couldn't find an answer.

A disapointed trial customer

[vmroyale · Accepted solution]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

Is this server also a DC?  Installing on a DC is not supported and won't work.

Good Luck!

[MauroBonder]

Welcome to the Community.

You tried install in same server of Domain Controller ?

Check: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=102940...

http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2010/07/21/vcenter-4-1-this-product-can-only-be-installed/

and see in edit setting in this virtual machine > Options if you select right GuestOs

Please, don't forget the awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers. 

Mauro Bonder - Moderator

[kopper27]

is that a fresh windows 2008 R2 installation without any other service?

http://www.yellow-bricks.com/2010/07/21/vcenter-4-1-this-product-can-only-be-installed/

When installing vCenter 4.1 on Windows 2008 R2 64-bit one of my colleagues ran into the following error message:

This product can only be installed on the following 64-bit operating systems:
Windows XP SP2 or above
Windows 2003
Windows 2008

Although this message is actually correct it was not what was causing this problem as he followed the documentation and installed Windows 2008 64-bit. In this case Active Directory had been installed and that was the reason it was failing. As vCenter installs ADAM it can’t run on top of a server which hosts AD.