Installation Problems

[Ayman Altounji]

I'm trying to install Windows 2000 as a clean install using the 4.90 Smart Tools. First, there is no way to do a clean install using a Windows 2000 Upgrade CDRom. What's up with that? 2000 runs considerably better if done as a clean install vs. an upgrade from NT4 BUT Smart Tools won't let you do it without installing NT4 first. That is unacceptable and inexcusable.

After running the system erase floppy disk and going through all of the initial setup we stopped at the point of installing an OS and let the machine reboot from the Windows 2000 CD. It goes through the motions (INCLUDING ALLOWING THE NT4 CD TO BE USED AS A KEY!!!) and the system installs without problem. Upon rebooting the system there are now problems (Yellow Ex. Marks in device manager) and we also have a new Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Controller. The devices with errors are the Compaq Advanced System Management Controller and the new found Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller. If you get info on either one of these you get the following in device status:

Your computer's system firmware does not include enough information to properly configure and use this device. To use this device, contact your computer manufacturer to obtain a firmware or BIOS update. (Code 35)

Both systems are running the P18 Bios. We've also tried installing the Windows 2000 Support Pack which does not fix the problem. We've tried numerous other things as well and cannot find a resolution to the problems.

For additional fun, both systems also hang during shutdown as well.

How can these issues be resolved? Installing NT4 and then performing a 2000 upgrade is not a reasonable solution and will not leave the server with a completely clean version of 2000. There are tons of items left over from a NT4 to 2000 upgrade and we need to run from a CLEAN install NOT an upgrade.

Thanks.