ISSUE: You need to configure Windows 2008 to run as a Desktop OS
Solution: Here are a few websites that include directions for forcing a Win2008 image to run as a Desktop:
http://www.win2008r2workstation.com/win2008r2/themes
http://www.elmajdal.net/Win2k8/Using_Windows_Server_2008_as_a_Workstation.aspx
http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1962