Trouble installing Windows Server 2003 w/ SP1

[Cpt. Duke]

Hi there,

so this past weekend I built a new server for my business. After getting everything to bootup and post, I inserted the 2003 cd and began the installation process.
I am able to format the hard drive, and copy over the files. At that point, the installer restarts the computer.

The Windows bootup screen soon appears, with the status bar, but that's as far as I get. The status bar continues to act as if something is happening, but it never gets into the next installation screen. This will continue for up to an hour.

Any ideas about this? A known error?
Here's my setup -

Athlon64 3200+
Asus A8n-e
2 GB corsair memory
Maxtor 320 GB SATA 3.0
Geforce pci video card
Intel pci NIC
dvd burner, floppy

Many thanks for any assistance you may be able to offer.
Peace,
Ryan

 

[spyordie007]

So to make sure I'm clear it copies the files but never actually performs the install?

I would perform a couple troubleshooting steps:
1. Try updated SATA controller drivers (F6 from the boot-up, insert floppy with updated drivers) to see if that makes a differance.
2. Disconnected all non-essential devices from the machine (in the event that one of them is causing the install to hang).

If that doesnt work you might also want to try running some hardware benchmark utilities to ensure you're not looking at a hardware issue (i.e. memtest86)

 

[RebateMonger]

I know that Windows XP leaves multiple log files behind during an install. The last line tells you where the install failed. I ASSUME that 2003 does the same.

If you get really desperate, you could always pop an XP CD in and install a temporary copy of XP, to see if a similar problem exists and to check the XP logs for any problems with the hardware. Obviously, you don't have to activate XP. Just install it, test (if necessary), and reformat within 30 days.

If XP installs and there are no reported problems, then you have a hardware compatibility issue with Server 2003. Server 2003 is a lot pickier about the hardware you can use than XP.

If NEITHER XP nor 2003 installs, then you have a general hardware problem.

 

[Cpt. Duke]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I have since tried to install XP, and it also failed.

So, since that point, I've tried using different memory, a different hard drive, using a RAID card instead of the motherboard's ports, and flashing the motherboard BIOS.

All of this has not had an impact. A friend of mine who's also in IT, has suggested in could be the processor. I'm gonna switch in another Athlon64 tonight.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks so much!
Ryan

 

[JonnyBlaze]

have you tried another cd-rom drive?

 

[RebateMonger]

I guess the last thing to check is the video card. Video can be pretty weird at times. Have any old, junk video cards laying around?

And the point about the CD-ROM is a good one. You know it's not the Install CD itself, since XP didn't work, either.

I assume you aren't trying to overclock the CPU or the memory or the video card.....

 

[Smilin]

Video card isn't used at that point in boot.

 

[djdrastic]

Lets See

Check Your Cable's
Check Your DVD/CDROM
Check Your Media [Very important !!!! Causes massive headaches ]
Run Through your BIOS Settings [I've had setup try and pickup presumably , winnt.sif from a non-existent floppy that was specified in the bios]
Check Your Temps !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Make Sure Your PSU IS UP TO THE JOB


Honestly make sure those last 2 points , are adhered to . I've had a BAD FAN on a Server before and caused the thing to reboot mostly during text mode .

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: 1DJCherny
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I have since tried to install XP, and it also failed.

So, since that point, I've tried using different memory, a different hard drive, using a RAID card instead of the motherboard's ports, and flashing the motherboard BIOS.

All of this has not had an impact. A friend of mine who's also in IT, has suggested in could be the processor. I'm gonna switch in another Athlon64 tonight.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks so much!
Ryan

...but did you try the F6 bit mentioned above with the correct drivers for your hard disk controllers?

FWIW, I believe Server 2003 has by far the best compatibility with hardware devices of the XP OSs - if I didn't have drivers for something in XP, there's a good chance they'd be there in 2003.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: dclive
FWIW, I believe Server 2003 has by far the best compatibility with hardware devices of the XP OSs - if I didn't have drivers for something in XP, there's a good chance they'd be there in 2003.

I wish that was the case. There are many devices that have XP drivers and no Server 2003 drivers. Some examples are network cards, USB cards, and RAID cards.

 

[Cpt. Duke]

After much trial and error, I thought I had found the culprit. When I switched PCI video cards, I was able to successfully install and boot into Windows. However, other errors have occured that have lead me to believe it's not the video card ... but the motherbaord. And Asus A8N-E.

I'm gonna have to RMA it. Thanks for all the feedback, guys!
Ryan

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: dclive
FWIW, I believe Server 2003 has by far the best compatibility with hardware devices of the XP OSs - if I didn't have drivers for something in XP, there's a good chance they'd be there in 2003.

I wish that was the case. There are many devices that have XP drivers and no Server 2003 drivers. Some examples are network cards, USB cards, and RAID cards.

We're talking about in-box drivers, and of the two, 2003 has more hardware support for more stuff needed to boot the box, which is, again, what we're focusing on here.

Call someone in Setup group and they'll rapidly agree.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: 1DJCherny
After much trial and error, I thought I had found the culprit. When I switched PCI video cards, I was able to successfully install and boot into Windows. However, other errors have occured that have lead me to believe it's not the video card ... but the motherbaord. And Asus A8N-E.

I'm gonna have to RMA it. Thanks for all the feedback, guys!
Ryan

What other errors did you get? Can you post what the event log shows?

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: dclive
FWIW, I believe Server 2003 has by far the best compatibility with hardware devices of the XP OSs - if I didn't have drivers for something in XP, there's a good chance they'd be there in 2003.

I wish that was the case. There are many devices that have XP drivers and no Server 2003 drivers. Some examples are network cards, USB cards, and RAID cards.

We're talking about in-box drivers, and of the two, 2003 has more hardware support for more stuff needed to boot the box, which is, again, what we're focusing on here.

Call someone in Setup group and they'll rapidly agree.

Former setup team member here (if that counts). I rapidly agree.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Smilin
Former setup team member here (if that counts). I rapidly agree.

Do you know if additional device drivers are added with Service Packs?
i.e. Does XP SP2 have more/more recent device drivers than XP RTM?

It seems like I've had devices that weren't recognized by XP RTM that got suddenly recognized when I updated XP to SP2.

Thanks.