W2K3 hang during Text-Mode on ML370G2

[Simon Kert]

During the textmode setup of Windows 2003 STD Server on a Proliant ML370 G2 1.4GHz (1GB RAM), setup hangs at "Windows is starting up" stage before the EULA. I thought it may have something to do with the RAID card driver so I used the W2K3 provided one and the HP provided one (ver 5.49.2.32) to see if any difference. Both failed.

I have also tried using the Smartstart 6.1 CD to setup W2K3 but it crashes out during the textmode copy and reboots server.

The BIOS is at 4.06 P25 (10/31/2003)
The RAID card is Smart Array 5i (32MB v2.20)
RAID is configured 2 logical RAID 5 drives (10GB and 62GB).
BIOS is set to Windows 2000/.NET OS

Microsoft report a hang at this stage in Q318729, but although the symptoms are similar, I get no error mesage. Help?

[Roger Faucher]

Simon:

Try the new SA 5x driver from here:

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/69_1341.html

HTH

Roger

[Keld]

Are you using the latest smartstart?

[Simon Kert]

I have tried the new version of the RAID driver but still same problem. I even tried the previous version of the same driver.

I am not convinced is RAID card related as the drives go into Ready mode when the driver is loaded.

I have successfully installed Windows 2000 Server using the latest drivers and have revised the RAID card firmware now to 2.58. W2K installs perfectly. W2K3 still hangs at "Windows is starting up" stage. ? Maybe I should just upgrade W2K Server as opposed to clean install W2K3?