Can't create system partition

[Ayman Altounji]

I acquired a ProSignia 500 server via eBay and it came with no hard drives installed. How can I create a system partition on a drive connected to the on-board SCSI controller? I'm new to using SCSI devices and just as new at working in server hardware.
I've tried the latest configuration utilities but keep getting error messages that the hard drive can not be found or has errors.
I've connected the drive in another (non-Compaq) computer with a Future Domain SCSI controller and the drive works fine.

[Ayman Altounji]

Download and make the system configuration program disks from this web address.

http://www5.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/download/9180.html

Use the partition tools provided from the partiton menu to create and add the Compaq utiltities to the system partiton. You can always run the utilities from diskette, so a system partiton is not required to load an operatings system and operate the system.

The booting hard drive should have a SCSI ID of 0. If you need to boot the system to DOS to install an OS, download the DOS SCSI drivers from this web address.

http://www5.compaq.com/support/files/server/us/download/7599.html

Or you can boot the system with an OS bootable CD, like NT 4.0. Make sure you have set the boot controller order and other BIOS configuration options first before you try to install the OS. Save the new hardware configuration to CMOS. Also make sure you have downloaded and made the required OS driver disks for the OS that is going to be installed onto the system.

[Ayman Altounji]

It is also worth mentioning that you will not be able to create a system partition on a disk that already has partitions on it.

When adding a new boot drive to a system, the first thing you should always do is either run SmartStart or the System Config diskettes in order to create that partiion. Then, you can boot from your DOS diskette (or whatever you are using) to create other partitions on the drive).

Todd Hayward MCSE Compaq ASE