Installing Windows 2003 on ML 350 G1.

[Andreas Karakas]

I am trying to install Windows 2003 on a server that was running Windows 2000 previously. I tried to install using later versions of smart start and it did not work. When I use the 5.5 version I am able to boot but not select the right OS. I do not have a RAID controller installed. I can not boot from the Windows 2003 CD and am not sure what my next step should be?

[Roger Faucher]

Andreas:

Have you already installed the latest firmware in your system?
You could download the FW Maintenance CD (390MB) from here:

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/24048.html

or get the individual download for your system by going here and drilling down:

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/69_1120.html#62

Make a great day (and new year)!

Roger

[Igor Karasik]

Andreas,
after updating firmware as Roger suggest
use SmartStart 5.50 CD and do system erase.
After system erase boot from SmartStart 5.5 CD select windows 2000 OS and insert windows 2003 CD when prompted to put OS CD.

One thing I don't understand from your post: why you cannot boot from windows 2003 CD?

[Andreas Karakas]

I did get it going, was not able to boot because of bad CDROM drive, go figure. I am doing the same thing later this week to the same type of server, but with a RAID controller.
Any suggestions?

[Roger Faucher]

Andreas:

You may need to have the RAID controller drivers available on a floppy (might work with a CD) and press F6 when Setup prompts for mass storage drivers (message will appear at bottom of screen).

Make a great day!

Roger