Pre-installation setup

Set correct time zone and correct local time, including automatic Daylight Saving - if applies.
Setup system to synchronize time to valid external source every 1 hour (if not possible - at least every 24 hours)
Use NTFS filesystem on every drive used by SML (excluding secondary data folder for video stations)
Use user with Local Administrator rights to install SML on
If installed in Desktop (not Service) mode set User Account Controls settings to "Never notify" - reboot after change
Install all required drivers for sound, video and I/O cards
Install all Windows updates
If possible, set Windows Update for "manual installation of updates and reboot".

Add windows Server Feature "Desktop Experience" - reboot after installation.
On Windows 2008 only: from Command line (as Administrator) execute command "regsvr32 C:\Windows\System32\qedit.dll" - success message should appear in result