OS rebuild or upgrade for Proliant DL380 G3?

[JayPomp]

Inherited this machine and new to Raid machines. Has Microsoft 2000 server. I want 2003 server on it.

Should I boot 2000, and just run the 2003 install? Or should I wipe the whole machine and then 2003? Where does this HP StartSmart disk come into play (before or after the OS install)? Will 2003 OS 'know' about this Raid stuff or do I need to be very careful and not ruin what's in place?

The salesman said to load StartSmart in the existing 2000 server environment, and then run the 2003 install.

What do I do? THANK YOU...

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

If you inherited the machine, then you won't really know what's been done with the 2000 Server installation, so I'd be tempted to start afresh.

You should boot off the SmartStart CD. That will allow you to do a guided install of 2003 Server, including reconfiguring of the RAID controller etc. It also installs all of the relevant OS drivers etc.

You can find the latest SmartStart CD (7.70) on these pages:

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/69_4706.html

It would probably be a good idea to also update the system's firmware whilst you're at it. A firmware CD can also be downloaded from the above page.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

[JayPomp]

Thank you very much. I'll give it a shot.

With the guided install, will it allow the OS to be an ISO file?

[JayPomp]

One last question. I can run the StartSmart while already booted to 2000 server right?

[Marek Nelec]

In order to install an OS using SmartStart, you need to boot from the SmartStart CD. The SmartStart will wipe the drive before installing a new operating system.

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

With the latest version of SmartStart yes you can install from an ISO of the OS.

To answer your second question, no. You should boot the server off the SmartStart CD.

Cheers,

Rob

[JayPomp]

Thank you I really appreciate your response.

OK I'm pretty sure I can do this...

I read the readme and it says you can't just burn the ISO and expect it to autoboot. Is there an easy freeware out there that makes ISO bootable?

Thanks again...

[JayPomp]

Man that was EASY!

I figured how to make an ISO bootable with Nero.

Rebuilt the WHOLE thing and it is running 2003 server nice and quietly!

Thanks for everyone's help.

[Rob Leadbeater]

Cool. Nice to hear it worked OK...
Remember to assign points to the replies as you see fit...

By the way, if you didn't have Nero, this utility is great for burning ISOs...:

http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com

Cheers,

Rob