ML115 G5 Win2k3 installation BSOD

[AJS_1]

Hi there,
I have been reading various threads about how to install 2003 server on the ML115 but I am still having no luck. I want to use the inbuilt RAID with 2 x SATA disks in a RAID 1 mirror. I have no floppy drive so I was trying to use Nlite to slipstream the drivers but every time I get the Blue Screen of Death when it trys to start windows in text mode straight after drivers are loaded. I have even turned off the OEM preinstall as someone suggested but I am getting nowhere after burning a few CDs! Can anyone give some EXACT instructions about what drivers and what settings to use? Will the install work with a Dell USB floppy as I can borrow one of those if necessary. Thanks!

[Gary Benavides Meza]

First make sure the correct storage controller driver is been loaded the embedded controller is an embedded sata controller, now there are two drivers one for x64 and x32 depending on what you need to install and you need to extract the driver to a floopy or slipstream

x32
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3577708&prodNameId=3577715&swEnvOID=1005&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-295381a9a94e4182a62f7127b5

x64
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3577708&prodNameId=3577715&swEnvOID=1113&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-65ce03eee7214185b31d260202

As you mentioned, during the windows installation you need to press F6 to load a third party controller driver, and it looks only from an floopy DISK A, so you need a floopy or a to use Nlite or something similar to slipstream.

Installation Step by Step with instructions and screenshots:

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_2003.htm

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi,

i used the SW raid direct from Windows 2003 server. without any problem.

mikap

[AJS_1]

Hi Mikeap,

How did you do that? Surely you have to load the driver which does not come on the 2K3 install CD?

Regards.

[Michal Kapalka (mikap)]

hi,

did you install your os wih a smartstart cd ???

mikap

[u84823]

A drive created with the SATA RAID can be booted with the mobo set to standard SATA mode (i.e. no RAID).

I therefore wonder if, although I've not tried it, the build could be completed with standard SATA drivers (Win2k3 out-the-box) and RAID disabled, then once running install the drivers, reboot and enable the RAID.

TBH Win2k3 RAID (disk management) does exactly the same thing though. The RAID on this board is simply duplication driven by the Windows device driver.

HTH

[AJS_1]

I have already tried this but it did not boot. There is no option in the Nvidia RAID firmware to copy from one drive to the other to rebuild the RAID so it effectively thinks the disks are blank maybe?

[AJS_1]

mikap,

The server came with an Easy Start CD which specifically states that it cannot be used when RAID is enabled - don't see much point in the disk if it does not work with the RAID!