Computer oddness

robjf · 11 Jan 2009 at 21:58

Evening guys.
I've had a very entertaining evening battling with a new install of Server 2008.

I installed the OS without a problem but since I connected the other drives it stopped booting saying invalid system disk, or something to that effect. After a few attempts resulting in the same message, I popped the install disc again. The installation process then shows the hard drive as there but all values are 0gb?!

I'm not really sure what to do. I've reset the CMOS, checked the bios and reseated all leads. Have you guys got any ideas. If you did I'd be greatfull!

Rob

95thrifles · 11 Jan 2009 at 22:03

You say you added more drives, did you change the drive configuration form IDE/SATA to RAID, because if so you wont be able to see the drive with the OS on if youre viewing a different configuration. I say this cos mine are installed in RAID and if I clear CMOS it defaults back to non RAID and I get same message

robjf · 11 Jan 2009 at 22:20

Yeh it's always just been SATA without RAID at all. Just trying to see whether the installer recognises the other drives now I've connected them. This is not too helpful as I'm working a lot this week so won't get a chance to sort it after tonight until next weekend !
Thanks for the suggestions.
Any other ideas?

Edit - Other drives are recognized and show the correct free space values aswell. Can't install on either of those as that's where all my backups were made too.

95thrifles · 11 Jan 2009 at 22:24

If you remove the other drives does it go back to functioning properly? If so it seems like configuration problem, you could try setting boot priority in BIOS if it allows you to ammend HDD order, or swapping which SATA ports each are connected to.
Tho tbh I dont know why it would report them as 0gb?

robjf · 11 Jan 2009 at 22:33

No it's just the one hdd reported as 0gb. The problem is there aslong as that hdd is connected.

95thrifles · 11 Jan 2009 at 22:41

So how many drives total?
And it works fine with all connected bar this one? I take it thats not the one you installed the OS on?
It may be its using different formatting system, FATS32 as opposed to NTFS, dont think the newer O/S's recognise the old formats

robjf · 11 Jan 2009 at 22:51

Sorry no first started by copying all files to be kept from my 320gb Seagate (OS hdd) to the 250gb Seagate and 160gb Samsung. I always have the OS on the 320gb as itis the newest/fastest. The size values are reported correctly for the other 2. Just reports 0gb for the 320gb.
Hmmm :/ the other Seagate is already a warranty replacement of a dead unit. Think I'll stick with samsung if it turns out to be the hdd at fault.

robjf · 12 Jan 2009 at 09:49

So do you guys think it's the Hdd at fault?