Proliant 6400R - F10 System partition utilities "not installed"?

[Evan Kaufman]

We recently acquired a Compaq Proliant 6400R server but with no manual or CDs, and have run into a bit of a snag.

When the server boots up, it pauses and prompts to hit 'F1' to continue or 'F10' to access the System Partition Utilities. When one hits 'F10', however, it says that the system partition utilities are "not installed".

It's likely that we will need these utilities for, among other things, RAIDing the hotswap hard drives and disabling the forementioned F1 prompt.

Where would I find the needed utilities and how would I go about installing them? I would appreciate any help given.

[Steven Clementi · Accepted solution]

Evan:

First, you will need to grab a Smart Start CD. Click here...

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/subscription/ssdownloads.asp

...to download the 5.5 CD image. Once you have the image on a CD, you can boto with it and "erase" the system and then create the system utilities partition. Afterwards, you can install your OS either assisted with the Smart Start CD or manually, depending on your preference and/or choice of OS.


Steven

[Steven Clementi]

boto = boot

[Evan Kaufman]

We've already installed Windows Server 2003, will we have to reinstall afterwards, or does it just 'erase' BIOS information?

[Samira Samarasekera]

Hello Evan,

The System Partition utility allows you to configure and view the BIOS. It needs to be installed at the top of the drive if you wanted on the unit.

It is not required to run the server.

I would suggest downloading the boot disks and configuring the BIOS. DO NOT choose to install because at this point, you are too late.
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/13227.html

Hopefully, by going thru the initial configuration the pausing will go away. If not, check what appears above the prompt for any POST errors. If there is nothing. You can update the BIOS(http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/9955.html) and then if you want disable the F1 prompt in the BIOS.

Hope this helps,
Samira

[Steven Clementi]

Evan:


Running the system Erase utility will wipe out your existing system. You may need to do this if you really want the system utilities installed.

If the system is already in use, than it will be a harder decision, otherwise, I'd say go for it. The System Utilities partition is usually the first partition on the drives. If you have free space left, you can try installing them, but I am unsure of the outcome. Try WITHOUT using the erase utility first.


Steven

[Evan Kaufman]

Thanks, I appreciate all the help. We'll probably just install the utilities and reinstall 2003 server afterward. Again, I appreciate the quick helpful responses.

[Evan Kaufman]

Hmm...I've downloaded and burned a copy of the SmarStart 5.5 CD, and everything seemed to go fine until it tries to start the Array Config Utility (ACU). ACU seems to freeze up when "detecting...", and I'm not sure why.

We do have a Smart Array 5300 PCI card, which is missing a daughtercard according to the warning message during bootup, but that shouldn't seize up the ACU, should it?

[Steven Clementi]

Have you updated the firmware on the controller and/or the server? Maybe you should grab the firmware maintanence cd at the same link and make sure everything is up to date.


Steven

[Evan Kaufman]

Acting on your advice, I tried updating firmware, but ACU continues to freeze. I'm assuming it has something to do with the 5300 array adapter, so we're looking into using a different one in its place.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.