Windows Server 2003 Standard wont load

[StraightPipe]

I'm building a new server for the office, but I'm really struggling with Windows Server 2003. The system posts fine, and goes into the windows setup screen ok. All the drivers and files load at the begining just fine, but then the screen hangs on "setup is starting windows" and never goes past this. I thought I might be having a hardware problem, so I threw in my WinXP32 disk, and it ran just fine. I tried server again, same results...
So I thought, "hey, maybe it's a 64bit thing." So I loaded WinXP64 and it works jut fine.
So I though, "hey, maybe it's a bad WinServer disk" (I legally DL'd the iso from my school and burnt the disk myself). So I got a proper MS disk from the office, and it hangs exactly the same as the other WinServer disk. I get the same resulsts from a 3rd copy of winserv, this time it;s Windows Server 2003 SBS.

I'm about to rip out my hair. The mobo's instruction manual specifically states that it is compatible with Windows Server 2003 Standard and Enterprise.

Here is my hardware:

ASUS P5WD2-E Premium
Pentium D 3.0GHz
2x1GB G-Skill DDR2-800
ASUS ATI X1300 Pro 512MB
Raptor X 150 SATA
Misc DVD-ROM (sony i think)
480W Antec Tru Power2 PSU

Any Ideas?

 

[imported_2x]

1) Make sure to load most current BIOS if you can.
2) Clear CMOS if that does not work.
3) Do not use the Marvell SATA controller.
4) Set all settings to default in the bios.

Some things to try.

 

[StraightPipe]

actually I updated the bios right before I put in the clean hard drive and updated the bios. So that's cleared.


I cleared cmos when I updated the bios.

I dont use the marvell controlled because it is fvcking sh!tty. I'm using the intel.

Updating the bios did set everything to default. I disabled alot of stuff (like marvell RAID and realtec sound.



I've been running memetest, but no errors...

Any more ideas?

 

[StraightPipe]

cleared the cmos. now it works

 

[Slowlearner]

Server 2003 install was most painless install ever of a Microsoft product, it located all the right drivers, found a place to download them from, its close to an automated install. I was impressed by both Server 2003 and SBS 2003.

 

[alent1234]

i had a similar problem a few months back with an old POS Compaq server i needed for testing. Turned out to be some crazy problem with RAM.

Take out all the RAM except the minimum you need to install Windows. Leave one of the chips in there. Make sure it works then put the other one in.

It can also be some issue with the mobo and the RAM so check the knowledgebase and HCL and you may have to play with the timings.

At work we buy HP and worst problem we ever had was bad Kingston RAM in a few servers. Now we just buy HP RAM since the extra cost is worth the less hassle you get when you call for support.