Install of Win2K3 Enterprise hangs on DL580 G3 with 4 processors

[Philip Perry]

I have a Proliant DL580 G3 with 4 Intel dual core processors fitted. I can install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition using Smartstart 7.40 successfully. But if I try and install Enterprise Edition the install hangs with no keyboard or mouse activity part way into the driver installation stage (about 39 minutes to go). If I remove 2 of the 4 processors the Enterprise Edition installation works successfully. How can I overcome this? I don't want to be removing processors if the server needs a rebuild.

[Igor Karasik]

Do you have last server firmware installed?
Do you use SmartStart 7.40?
Did you try to install windows without SmartStart CD, from windows 2003 Enterprise bootable CD?

[Robert S. Carr]

Philip:

Enterprise does support 4 CPUs so it is 'supposed' to work.

What you may have is an original Win2k3 disk in which some of the core drivers or the HAL are incompatible with the DL580. An easy way to update your install disk is to slipstream the latest service pack into the install disk and try a re-install.

I've posted slipstream tips before but they seem to have disappeared. Oh well. Luckily I found another really good link.

Try:
http://www.petri.co.il/windows_2003_sp1_slipstreaming.htm

Service packs for Windows 2003 are found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/downloads/winsrvr/servicepacks/default.mspx

Let the forum know if it works.

Rob

[James Arenth · Accepted solution]

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&taskId=115&prodSeriesId=408421&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=408421&objectID=c00658857

[Philip Perry]

I also discovered that turning off hyperthreading enables the installation to complete, as identified in the last response. This is far better than removing processors and less complicated than creating an installation CD with SP1 included. I confess I have not tried the latter but assume that it would work.