new user setup (new version as of 5/1/13)

These are generic steps for setting up a new user.  These steps assume that the laptop is set up as needed as per the steps listed computer setup here:
http://t-solve.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-computer-setup-steps-revised-41113.html

Steps for new user setup (to be followed in order):

1. create user account (and if necessary, mail account if done separately)
2. adjust user profile script
3. if needed, configure home folder and backup folder in ADUC
4. add to appropriate security groups in ADUC
5. put user on appropriate distribution lists
6. log into computer as user
7. confirm drives mapped correctly
8. set up Outlook
9. disable email archiving (if not already disabled)
10. add Bcc to view when composing new message
11. configure user to see any shared calendars and/or contacts lists
12. set up printers or confirm printers mapped correctly
13. make sure user has appropriate local permissions on computer (admin or standard/restricted)
14. make sure laptop is configured from Microsoft updates
15. install all applicable updates for Office and Windows
16. confirm antivirus is up to date
17. configure default printer based on nearest applicable printer
18. make sure VPN icon is on desktop and connect to VPN one time with the user's name and password
19. add terminal server icon to desktop, if applicable
20. configure backup to appropriate backup folder
21. add off-site backup program if applicable (Backblaze, ibackup, etc)
22. Install Google Chrome and set it as the default browser
23. Add company specific IM program (Google Talk, Skype)
24. make sure computer is added appropriately in inventory spreadsheet
25. Add user to address book on company scan to email copier (if applicable)
26. Alter user's name on phone (if applicable)
27. Alter extension's voicemail to email properties (if applicable)
28. Make sure the user's phone is not forwarding to another person
29. Configure user's mobile broadband card
30. leave intro sheet for new user
31. set up desk as needed (keyboard, mouse, monitor, docking station, leave extra power cord for travel)
32. put computer in appropriate location for organization (for some organizations, this means in a locked server room)

new computer setup steps (revised 4/11/13)

Generic computer setup steps (to be followed in order):

1. Boot up computer and as required, create a local account with the name of the company as the login name with predefined local admin password
2. Attach computer to domain
3. Uninstall these items:
   a. preinstalled antivirus
   b. preinstalled Microsoft Office
   c. Bing bar
   d. other pre-installed bloatware
4. Configure updates for all Microsoft programs
5. Install Microsoft updates (including any possibly missing service packs)
6. Install MS Office
7. Install applicable programs for organization including (but not limited to):
   a. PDF995
   b. Adobe Acrobat Standard/Reader
   c. NitroPDF
   d. MS Project
   e. MS Visio
   f. TightVNC
   g. Skype
   h. Google Talk
   i. QuickBooks
   j. Malwarebytes
   k. Java
   l. FileMaker Pro
8. Activate Microsoft Office (applicable for Office 2010 and newer).  For Office 2010 SP2, run one of the Office programs in an elevated state for proper activation.
9. Update non-Microsoft programs that may have updates (particularly Quickbooks and Adobe Acrobat)
10. Install antivirus (MS Security Essentials or Symantec Endpoint Protection) - intentionally installed after all other software
11. Configure computer so computer's current owner is a member of the local admins group
12. Configure VPN connection with access for all users
13. Put appropriate icons for frequently accessed programs on desktop (Computer, Word, Excel, Outlook, terminal server icon, VPN icon, accounting software if applicable)
14. Disable WLAN card when connected to wired ethernet if possible (configurable in device manager for Dell branded WLAN cards)
15. Configure mobile broadband card
16. Track computer's serial number in inventory spreadsheet

When complete, if putting the computer in place for an existing user, you'll probably want to follow these steps to swap in the computer:
http://t-solve.blogspot.com/2013/03/to-do-list-for-swapping-computer.html

Necessary steps in setting up a new computer

new computer setup

1) install drivers (if reformatting)

2) uninstall unnecessary programs (primarily Bing toolbar, pre-installed AV, pre-installed Office trials)

3) configure for Microsoft updates and install updates

4) connect to domain, naming computer appropriately

5) install Office

6) install updates again

7) install AV

8) configure Outlook

9) configure Outlook archiving

10) configure backup

11) set up printers

12) install miscellaneous programs - PDF995, WWAN software, Acrobat Reader/writer, NitroPDF

13) configure computer so that domain users are a member of the local administrators group

14) add/remove appropriate icons from desktop

15) copy data as necessary from previous computer - desktop, my docs, bookmarks, Outlook Address book

16) set up VPN

17) enable necessary remote access - TightVNC, remote desktop, Bomgar jumpoint, etc

18) install applicable IM client (Skype, Google Talk, etc)

19) if possible, disable WLAN card when wired connection is detected (definitely available for Dell branded WLAN cards)

You must be a member of the Domain Admins, Schema Admins, and Enterprise Admins" error when you run the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Setup

During a build of Windows 2003 SBS where I was adding replacing an existing server, I got this error:

You must be a member of the Domain Admins, Schema Admins, and Enterprise Admins"

This comes from the fact the SBS server doesn't think it's the holder of the mater roles for the domain.  This knowledgebase article talks about how to address that problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842694