Anyone else run into glitches with SmartStart 8.30 and Server 2008 R2?

[exrational]

I like a lot of the UI changes in the new SmartStart (which I downloaded since it's the first one to support 2008 R2). I ran into a couple of issues though, and I'm curious if I'm the only one or not.

First, I couldn't get SmartStart to recognize my 2008 R2 ISO. I figured out that the file filter is case-sensitive, and changing the extension from .ISO to .iso made the file appear in the list, but even once it was selected I couldn't click next. I waited 15 minutes or so in case there was some sort of verification scan, but nothing ever happened. As far as I know, it's the stock DVD ISO from MS volume licensing. Do I need to name it something special? I never ran into trouble with Server 2003 ISOs and previous SmartStart versions.

As a workaround for the above problem, I mounted the ISO on my PC and copied the flat files to the USB key I was using. SmartStart recognized those fine, but it's a little aggravating that they can't be located in a subdirectory on the USB key, as it means I can only put one OS's install files on it. I'm not sure if that's a new "feature" in this release or not, since I've always used ISOs in the past. Also, using this method, *everything* on the key was copied to the server, regardless of if it was in one of the standard Windows install folders or not. As a result, the server ended up with several gigs of mp3s that I had on there, the various ISOs we use to build servers, etc. That wouldn't be so great if space on C: were at a premium.

Second, the new SmartStart UI seemed to only capture the first 15 characters of the local administrator password I entered. I know this is new to 8.30, because the standard one I use is 16 or 17 and I've never had trouble with it in previous versions. If I only had to type it once I might chalk this up to mistyping, but I'm reasonably sure I wouldn't forget the last character or two twice.

[TerryC_1]

I have run into the password problem loading Windows Server 2008 Standard R2 using Smartstart 8.30. Tried the install twice thinking I had fat fingered the password (which would be unusual since you have to confirm it and I use a common password for all our builds). 2nd time my co-worker looked over my shoulder just to make sure and verified that I typed the password correctly. When the 2008 installation was complete and I tried to login using the local Administrator account, it would not recognize the password I had used in the Smartstart installation. Seems to have forgotten it. Tried typing the password and leaving out the last character, then the last two characters, then three, etc. Didn't work. Tried logging in with no password, Administrator as the password, etc. Didn't work. Called HP and they said my CD might be corrupted. Make a new one and try again. I'll try that and see if it works and report back if it does.

[exrational]

Do you mind if I ask how long your password was? I'd be curious to know if trying one that was 14 characters or shorter worked as expected for you.
I did the same thing in terms of trying the first 16 characters, then 15, etc. I almost gave up before getting down to 14, thinking I was just wasting time.

[Joseph Combs]

I have had a problem installing the 64-bit version of both 2008 and 2008r2. I start with SmartStart 8.30 x64 and then load the OS. All goes well until the install process gets to the last screen where the last message is Completing Installation ..... it stays there overnight.

[Joseph Combs]

I suspect it may be the raid controller ... I defined the Installtion drive as RAID-5, and it stays in the awaiting optimization mode .... this may be keeping the installation from finishing, especially if the raid controller is waiting for the install to finish to complete optimization,

I have deined the installation drive a raid 0, and I will migrate to raid 5 after installation if it works.

[Uwe Zessin]

It is (in my opinion) a silly 'feature', erm, I mean design error of many (all?) SmartArray controllers: if you create a new array/logical disk, the controller waits for a first write before it starts the RAID initialization. It DOES NOT prevent usage of the logical disk.

[Joseph Combs]

I agree, but I think that is what is happening ..... I am still waiting for this install to finish. I have a MSA70 attached, and the array on it is raid 5, and it seems to be waing for it to optimize, and it is 2 terabytes. That may take quite a while. I don't know, but it seems to be what is happening. I'll know if it ever finishes. If not, I'll have to do the install again with everything raid-0.

[David Jerwood]

I am also having problems with the password. I built W2008 R2 Enterprise using the Smartstart 8.30 CD and now Windows wont accept my password once built. This has happened to the first 3 DL380/360's I have built.
Does anyone have any suggestions.

Many Thanks

[David Jerwood]

Just spoke to an HP Tech engineer, his advise was to NOT use SmartStart. As helpful as ever!! Obviously for now, I am skipping the password step within Smartstart. But advised him it would be good to get this listed as a Smartstart bug or something. He just kept confirming not to use SmartStart and build the server manually. Also asked hime to visit this forum but he refused.
Anyone else had any experience with this issue. Anyone from HP on here?

[Joseph Combs]

SO if you don't use the smartstart install, how do you get it to install with the right drivers?

[Jeff -Coffs Harbour, NS]

I too have just reinstalled (twice) SBS 2008 sp2 using Smartstart 8.30 onto an ML330. during the install, I had to keep logging into the machine manually as Administrator, not my defined admin user, with the complete password that I had specified.
When the install completed, I could not log in with my credentials.

With the clues from this thread, I tried dropping characters from the end of my password, and did get in. (Whew!)
I think though, that the relevant thing may not be the number of characters, but the type of characters.
I dropped non alpha-numerics and got in.
In other words, my password ended in some of these !@#$ etc. Once they were all gone, voila!

I suggest trying your password and skipping all non AlphaNumeric characters.

Might be something for the developers to have a look at please HP.
Best Regards,
Jeff Davies

[marcus1234]

okay guys update firmware with firmware cd 8.6

now install os without smart start cd

now in the os load the smart start cd and install the pSP pack

prolint support pack

now go get latest supplemental firmwares which were not on cd and driver updates for you server and os/too

enjoy :)

and for those not familiar

This is how we thank in the forum

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#33

[Jeremy Stump]

You need to find the SS 8.30 hardware/software matrix sheet it will tell you what models of hp hardware you can install 2008 on with 8.30 SS.

[Roger Faucher]

Here is the matrix:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/c-products/servers/management/smartstart/ServerSupportGuide8.30.pdf

Make a great 2010

Roger

[Roger Faucher]

It appears that SS 8.3 will only support G5/G6 servers running W2K8 R2.

Roger

[Roger Faucher]

Sorry, there are a few exceptions to what I just stated.

Roger

[Dan TheMan]

I am glad I found this. Surprising HP has not fixed this last September. I just spent the last 30 minutes thinking I fat fingered a password and trying various combinations.

Trying to install server 2008r2 on a Proliant DL360g4 for testing purposes.

I never did have luck with Smartstart 8.2 and would end up installing from the server disc.

[Ishmael Rufus]

We are a long time running HP shop.

I am very displeased about this issue. Just bought a server (DL380 G6) that came with the 8.30 smart start disk. Encountered the same issue with the password.

HP, where's SmartStart 8.4?

[Richard S. Anderson]

I built my own iso and it picked it up fine.

I was beside myself however when the password didn't work. Now I'll have to re-install, and since I'm doing it remotely, I'll have to wait until someone wanders by and slides the "SmartStart" CD drawer back in.

I remember a time when having an HP meant something. Today, it means you should have bought something cheaper somewhere else. The support has never been so bad as it has over the last three years.

[JulianBlue]

Have been locked out this way with a new ML350G6, SmartStart 8.30 x64 and SBS 2008.
The password inserted in SmartStart was not recognized by Windows.

I had to reinstall from scratch, but this time I left the password EMPTY in SmartStart and the installation ran well, doing automatic unassisted logons and reboot until I was presented with SBS Wizard.

So my suggestion is to LEAVE THAT DARN PASSWORD EMPTY WHILE IN SMARTSTART.
HP should add a note on this.

[Bleeder]

Maybe try SmartStart 8.40, released over a week ago (March 29).

[Adrian Wells]

With the latest HP SmartStart 8.40 x64 and installing Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 on a HP DL380 G6 - I too have run into a problem with the local administrator password. It is being entered correctly but it does not work.

The password was 10 characters in lenghth and it contained alphanumeric characters (e.g. *, %). I read that the special characters may be the problem here.

It sounds like leaving the password field blank during the HP SmartStart CD is the right action to take.

[Jeffrey Gurley]

The smartstart 8.4 x64 worked fine in my second attempt -- by leaving the password blank for installing 2008 R2 Enterprise.

[Bastian Handel]

In my case only 14 characters have been set. Our admin password normally has 15 ;)

Thanks for your descriptions

regards bastian

[RMKAdmin]

The password issue is also present in Smart Start 8.40 x64. The issue we ran into was that our password contained special characters. Even if we used a password that was only 10 characters, if one of those characters was special, after the installation was complete, we couldn't log on to Windows. HP confirmed this to be a bug.