W2K server on Dell 6300

[lilg19642]

I am having a major issue installing the OS. I recieve an error that states "disk error occurred" which happens afer I boot from CD and use the perc2 scsi drivers and format the drive and copy the files to the drive. I have 5 drives in which I also tried hardware raid of 5 and also 1. I have even tried to use just a single HD with raid disabled and I will either recieve that error or an error when the files are copying from the cd which states it can't find the files.... I also tried disabling the raid with all drives in which windows shows them all and then it does the format and copies files but then It is unable to copy the files from the cd.. I have tried to even use a single drive and format from the scsi card along with having the scsi bios enabled and disabled. I have spent at least 12 hrs dealing with this big headache and would really appreciate any help that you can offer...

 

[stussy]

Have you tried copying all the setup files off the CD onto a drive and installing from there? Maybe it's having trouble reading all the files from the CD, I've had hassle with one machine like this before.

 

[NickFerrar]

Firstly, if you haven't already, I'd update the BIOS, ESM and PERC firmware.

Secondly, at what point are you installing the PERC drivers? Are you pressing F6 when (briefly) prompted early on in the text mode setup phase? You have to do this if installing straight from CD (I think this is done automatically for you if you install via an OpenManage boot CD).

Here's an article on installing Win2K direct from a CD to a PowerEdge 6300:

http://support.euro.dell.com/uk/en/kb/document.asp?DN=RG1049298&tag=PWE_PNT_XEO_6300

If you done the updates and are pressing F6 and it still fails I'd contact Dell incase there's a hardware issue, they may be able to help even if it's likely out of warranty.

 

[lilg19642]

Yeah thats when I press the F6 key.. and I will double check all the updates im sure they are up to date...

 

[lilg19642]

I created a single drive raid 0 and it allows me to install now.... took me long enough.... now hopefully when it's finished installing I can convert from raid 0 to raid 5..we'll see about that...

 

[mbaldwin]

The thread does not mention you trying to start out with booting with a Dell OpenManager Server Assistant CD. Give that a try. I dont think you can convert from raid 0 to 5.