Server 2012 R2 essentials experience setup error

What troubleshooting steps have you taken?

Please follow steps mentioned in below article, it talks about your issue

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2914651

I've already played around with the steps in that KB. I get an error "The following accounts could not be validated". Other info to know about my environment:

1. Windows 2012 R2 is a member domain server.
2. Domain controller is a windows 2008 SBS.
20140323-105210-Server-Two.png

Anyone? Guess this is going to be an abandoned question?

For what its worth I have some new developments on this issue but it seems there is no interest.

I decided to promote the server to a domain controller and re-run the essentials role.

I did get further in the role install process but now it's stuck at 65% for more than 24 hours. I'm afraid to reboot.

The Essentials Experience Role may not like being installed on a server that has a dash in its name.  I would try renaming the server -- but to do this you need to demote it from being a DC.

BTW, making it a DC is not needed and not recommended.

I only made it a DC because the essential role would not install when the server was a member server. So in your experience the "-" in a host name prevents the essentials role from completing? This sounds extremely odd. How do I stop the role install?

The role is sensitive to Hostname (ie, if it is more than 14 characters it definitely will not install).  I haven't had direct experience with a hostname that includes a dash, but it could be causing the problem.

You can look at C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\cbs.log to see if there are any specific errors noted.

To stop the install, just reboot the server (you may need to use "shutdown /r" at an elevated command prompt to do this).

The log is massive. What should i be looking for?

Here's the log.
CBS.log

I rebooted and the essentials install still appears stuck at 65%.

Please try running the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reference for DISM

Reboot again after that and see if you can then install the role.

Still stuck at 65%.

Have you been using this server for anything else?  If not, I suggest reformat the hard drive and start over.

Paid for MS support. took 20 hours.

Contacted microsoft.

so what was the solution that microsoft came up with?

MS solution was??