I'm very happy with how the Windows Server 2008 now installs, only asking the user for pertinent information when necessary, however I am rather confused by the Initial Configuration Tasks dialog in that upon first load of the OS it appears and then on subsequent reboots, the Server Manager MMC console shows instead and then later the ICT appears yet again afterwards. To my way of thinking if I do not dismiss the aforementioned program fully then it should appear on it's own and nothing else should appear with any similar or additional functionality either in its' place or as an aside because it does not bode very well to me as being a functionally efficient approach, which is what I am looking for in my choice of Operating System.

The ICT-dialog shows until you check the box "do not show on startup" or complete the tasks. That's to inform the user that the initial tasks are not performed yet. If you dismiss the ICT-dialog you don't have to see it again and can perform the tasks on your own. For unexperienced staff I belive that the ICT will be a help in configuring the basics of the OS.

I understand very well what ICT is for but I was merely pointing to what I perceive to be a bug, so if your response was a prelude to something more then I eagerlyawait your reply. Thank you

Ah, then I misunderstood your question. I do belive that the product team thought that the ICT would be completed on first boot. If it is then the Server Manager is logical to display afterwards. I agree on the fact that it should be either one, not both after reboots until ICT is either completed or manually dismissed in favor of SM.

Hhi Joachim, Thanks for your reply. I'd much prefer it if the Server Manager did not appear until I've fully dismissed the ICT because there are some very simple things I'd like to configure in there first before I start setting up a fully-blown server or network OS. Having said that, I refer to my other thread in that consistency is paramount for me, with regard to viewing the properties of my computer using an MMC and the server manager itself seems to be more of a distant goal, with a unified explorer interface being light years away from realisation. I really hope the people at Microsoft want to fix this issue because I get so annoyed with pop-up's in just the browser, let alone on my own computer as well. Thanks again

Of course it would be simpler to have one console for the whole process, but that's because Windows IS a work in progress. Correct me if I'm wrong.