Windows 2000 hangs on bootup

[Mustafa Heera]

We have a new ML370 G3 server with Smart Array 5320/128 and preinstalled with Windows 2000 which we bought 6 months ago and was working fine. But now it seems to have died on us. When we boot it shows screen "Install Device Drivers" and the progress bar stops half way. No new devices have been attached or removed. We cannot start the server even in Safe mode. Please help.

[Sunil Jerath]

Hello Mustafa,
Please update the system bios which was released a couple of days ago. Also think of updating the firmware of SA532 as well.
Here is the link to download the latest bios:

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/19820.html

The following link is to update the firmware of SA532 controller:

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/19427.html

Regards,

[Mustafa Heera]

To install these patches we need to be logged into the server. Now the case is that we cannot get to the login screen. Before the login screen appears the system hangs on the Install Device screen.

[Sunil Jerath]

Hello Mustafa,
There is offline version as well for those updates which can be downloaded from our web site. For the offline versions you need to creat diskettes and boot with them.

Regards,

[Mustafa Heera]

We have installed the bios patch and the upgraded the firmware but the problem is still the same. HP engineer replaced the system board but still the problem remians. I guess the only last resort is to reinstall the OS and all the applications. Can someone help with any ideas. Thanks

[Mustafa Heera]

The excat message on the screen is as follows "Please wait while setup detects and installs devices such as mouse and keyboard. This will take several minutes during this time your screen may flicker for a few times."
The progress bar stops half way through. Tried replacing the keyboard and mouse but still the same.