URGENT :( SMARTSTART PORBLEMS

[Rich_86]

Hi there,

TOday I started to clean up ML370 server using smart start, the guide tells me that I will be prompted to SMART START PATH to allow me to chose assisted installation but I am not prompted at all, getting to SYSTEM UTILITIES on smartstart cd offering me :

RUN SYSTEM CONF / UPDATE SYS PARTITION / RUN ERASE (which I ran and seems to detected bits) CREATE SUPPORT SOFTWARE / RUN ROMPAQ

my urgent question is (otherwise I will be sleeping in my client's offices) what is the simplified procedure and what I am missing ...expected assisted installation and I got nothing ... please SAVE ME !!!

MUCH APPRECIATED

[JohnWRuffo · Accepted solution]

Rich:

The 100% yes / no answer you need to give is, is there any data you wish to recover from this server or are you wiping it completely out and starting from bare bones?

If you do not need the data, then boot off the Smart Start CD and select the "System Erase Utility". This will completely wipe out the server configurations and data.

Then reboot.

When the server boots up, you will see a few errors stating the system options not set... ignore them (press F1) and boot into SmartStart.

You will now be give the option to choose "Assisted Path".

***

Select the above if, AND ONLY IF, you do not need the data on the server.

If you do need the data on the server, just boot with your install media and perform an O/S upgrade.

Let me know if you need any more help? -john

[Rich_86]

John , thank you very very much, this bloody manual leaflet does not mention press F1, just started compaq diagnostics ...so will let you know soon how it went. I assume the smartstart will prompt me for ARRAY setup etc. I have 2 identical SCSI 18.9Gig drives. What RAID shall I go for?
If all this works I buy you a drink !!! You saved my day here ! My firt Compaq server format.

Again much appreciated

[JohnWRuffo]

Glad I could help. Yes, the Smart Start CD will begin the Array Configuration Utility after it has built the System Partiton.

Do you have the SmartStart Profile Diskette with your CD?

If not, click here and get one diskette ready:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/7453.html

You will ned this diskette.

G'luck! - john

be sure to assign points if any of this was helpfull to you.

[Rich_86]

F1 WORKED !!! Will keep you posted on the progress !!! following the assisted install of w2k advance server

Appreciated ...you r the boss !!!

Rich

[JohnWRuffo]

If you have two drives, best to use RAID 1. Less space, but you get fault tollerance.

RAID 0 is just asking for trouble unless your application requires it.

[Rich_86]

Will follow ur advice ! it is flying !!! doing its stuff so I will be able to go home tonight after all !!! I owe you big time !!! www.xpdesign.net if you need a website get in touch ! Free webhosting for a year ? Again thanks a lot !!! Rich

[Rich_86]

WHAT IS THE BEST BOOT PARTITION ? THANKS

[JohnWRuffo]

Do you mean size? Not sure I understand... What version of windows are you building?

[JohnWRuffo]

If you mean size, I would make the O/S reside in 6GB or so... the rest for data.