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39446
August 3rd, 2015 20:00
PE 2900 Gen1 SCSI SAS 5/I 3x68GB drives OS swap (not due to drivers)
Hi I have the above titled specs, Windows server 2003 standard r2 32-bit is installed. Got it used.
I have data-mining software that can take advantage 64-bit and doesn't require any server capabilities. Upgraded CPU/32GB ram
Changing over to Windows XP Pro 64-bit.
Installed it, had the sas 5/i drivers on a USB flash. Went through the usual process, deleted and formatted partition. XP then starts the long process of loading all its files and restarts the computer. After the computer restarts, it just boots to Windows server 2003 again. Pulled out all but 1 drive 3 times and booted from each. Each time booting to 2003. So I realized the sas 5/i "non-raid" must be backing up to all drives (like a RAID).
Then I left only 1 HDD in, booted XP, did the format and install again, it restarted, and again Server 2003 starts up.
Whats the deal? Looked in the integrated controller for settings to delete drives or format them but there's no such options.
DELL-Joey C
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August 5th, 2015 19:00
Hi,
I guess the tool from http://www.nliteos.com/ can help you install WXP using SAS Driver, it will integrate the driver into the OS, creating a new ISO for installation.
Their guides page will help you step by step.
DELL-Joey C
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3.9K Posts
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August 3rd, 2015 21:00
Hi FXTRADING,
If you could, can you get screenshots of your SAS5iR BIOS View Virtual Disk and Manage virtual Disk section?
Page 30 : http://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_dell_adapters/dell-sas-5ir-intgtd-and-adptr_User%27s%20Guide_en-us.pdf
Threshold1
31 Posts
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August 4th, 2015 15:00
As stated, its a Sas 5/i (non-RAID). HN359
This is what the home BIOS screen for it appears as.
s4.postimg.org/.../IMG_1918.jpg
DELL-Joey C
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August 5th, 2015 02:00
Hi there,
When the 3 drives are in the system, and when W2003 boots, how many drive does it see? 3?
Have you tried using W2003 to format the other 2 drives, swap out and try to install WXP?
Threshold1
31 Posts
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August 5th, 2015 17:00
So I'm a bit further along now. I did as you said. Seems windows 2003 was installed on 2/3 HDDs. ! from an older owner, and the most recent on C:\ from me a couple weeks ago. I formatted the old discs to wipe them clean.
Then I pulled out two of the HDDs. 1 clean, the other with Server 2003 on it.
I then began the XP installation. I have a flash drive with the SAS 5/i drivers .exe on it.
I went though the usual install. Windows loaded all its files up on the disc (i thought) then rebooted.
Once rebooted, I cannot boot the C:\ drive so I booted the CD and did the process over again.
When I remove the Flash drive, windows cannot install and says it cannot detect any discs, when I insert the Flash drive, the installation works.
So I pulled out the flash drive, inserted into my main desktop, and looked into it and saw that XP has been installing on the Flash drive the whole time!
How do I load up the SAS 5/i drivers to install windows properly? Flash drive doesn't seem to do the job, lol. If it can be done with a Flash drive, and allowing windows to actually install on C:\ instead of the Flash drive that would be great. The Server has 1 CD drive and *no floppy* drive.
As I understand it, Openmanage does not support an XP install, correct?
Any ideas?
theflash1932
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August 6th, 2015 08:00
Why XP? XP is dead and a dinosaur.
XP cannot use a flash drive for the drivers (except for specially formatted flash drives, like Dell's USB F6 Key Prep utility). Don't use it.
1. Use a floppy disk to load the drivers at the F6 prompt.
2. Use nLiteOS.com (or MS deployment tools) to integrate the drivers into your installation media.
In BOTH cases, you must first RUN the EXE to extract the files before you can use them.
There is always the chance that the drivers won't work with XP. If your XP installation disc doesn't have at least SP2, it is likely not to work at all. nLiteOS.com can help you integrate Service Packs too.
Threshold1
31 Posts
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August 6th, 2015 15:00
After 1 failed attempt I assume its not a single set of drivers, but multiple. I will have to search for more missing components.
1st attempt was with these only:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=KPWH9
As far as my choice of OS:
1. I don't want or need future support or updates, in fact I avoid them like the plague and the computer will not be connected to the internet.
2. The software I use runs on any windows ver and will continue to do so years head.
3. I've installed Win7 on a PE 2900 iii and its too heavy for the onboard GPU and causes noticeable sluggishness/lag on maximum performance mode with all updated drivers. Something that doesn't happen using Server 2003 and assumably XP. I want the lightest OS possible. I wouldn't recommend anything higher than XP/2003 for older Poweredges personally.
The computer has 1 job, run the software. Nothing fancy.
Also WINRAR can extract from .exe files I have found through this experience but as stated no luck, using just that 1 set of drivers anyway. It definitely requires others.
Threshold1
31 Posts
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August 6th, 2015 16:00
Ok I got it installed. The first try I had driver options in nlite set to Pnp instead of text mode, that was probably the issue, but I also added the backplane drivers on the second attempt. Thank u both for the help. Can't believe it worked. Good learning experience and knowledge to have.
theflash1932
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August 11th, 2015 15:00
I'm not sure I agree with that - at least not from what it appears you mean by "older". The 2850 runs 2008 and 2008 R2 beautifully (2012 was a bit sluggish). I had about 25 2850's that ran 2008 R2 for 3 years or so with never an issue. I've had dozens of 2950's (and 2900) running 2008, 2008 R2, 2012 and 2012 R2 since their releases. I had a couple of 2650's (32-bit only) that did phenomenally with 2008. ALL are worlds better than 2003 in my opinion.
In any case, I'm glad you got it installed, if that was what you needed. (Email alerts for the forum have been down for several days, so sorry for not getting back sooner.)