Micosoft Dynamics CRM Server - Upgrade 3.0 to 4.0

Easy, just stick in the CD and off you go....unfortunately not.

Here's a round up of the process so far.

Get a new server prepared (CRM4)
We're using a virtual server on the new esx server.  We've installed windows 2003 server, IIS, SQL2005, .Net frameworks and all of the update rollups etc. Takes ages so be prepared.

Take a snapshot
VMware's esx server means we can take a snapshot of the server at any point.  Really, really useful- means we can roll back very quickly to a clean install with all the prerequisites.

And, off we go....

Backup the production server (CRM)
Backup the NICVA_METABASE and NICVA_MSCRM databases on the CRM box.
Export all customisations and workflows

Get the databases ready ~ 45mins
We're moving from a SQL2000 on CRM to SQL2005 on CRM4.  Best way to do this seems to be -
1) Create new blank NICVA_METABASE and NICVA_MSCRM on CRM4 (sql2005) - use the same names!
2) Restore the 2 databases from the production CRM backup files.  Ensure to overwrite the ones just created. 
It takes a while to shunt the data about and import - probably about 45 mins in our case.

Run the Redeployment Tool ~ 20mins
Install the redeployment tool onto CRM4 (the install files are on the crm3 cd)
Create a blank OU on active directory - eg CRM4 (remove any test ones that are there)
Run the redeployment wizard - ensure to use the new OU and SQL2005 databases when prompted!!!  Keep existing user mapping.

Install CRM3 on the new server (called CRM4) ~ 30mins
Run the installer using new databases and OU

Test installation and apply rollups ~ 30mins
Check you can browse to http://crm4 should work but will not have customisations so might look odd.
Apply CRM3 rollup2 kb/927751 and then CRM3 rollup3 kb/935364. On portal\software.  I found that trying to apply rollup 3 only doesn't work - 2 first then 3.  also, might need to "unblock" the files to allow them to run,

Import customisations ~ 10mins
Import the allcustomisations xml file and remember to publish them!
Set the correct time zone- weird but need to change to GMT.

Test installation
Should now be able to browse to http://crm4 and see the customisations applied.  Custom icons will be missing at this stage

030209 - try removing all workflows here - seems to cause problem for crm4 install

Run CRM4 Install ~ 60mins
Stick the crm4 cd and start the install

Attempt 72 :-)
"The Microsoft CRM Asynchronous Processing Service service entered the stopped state."  Install has stalled.  i restarted the service.  Seems to be an issue with workflows.  back to sq 1 - try removing existing workflows before upgrade.

Success - sort of
Ran the install process again - repair option - finished without error - none in event logs either.

Install CRM4 rollup ~ 20mins
KB 952858 on portal\software

Test Outlook Client - new post