Installing Windows onto Raid 1 PowerEdge

Django x2 · 21 Jan 2012 at 11:30

Hi guys,

Got a PowerEdge T100 ii here. I've set up the perc controller as RAID 1, there are two 500Gb disks, and I've created one virtual 500Gb RAID 1 array.

However, when I boot to Windows Server, it can't find any disks.

Sucky. Any ideas on what I need to change and where?

Thanks

Sin_Chase · 21 Jan 2012 at 11:37

You need to deploy windows with Dell Systems Build and Update Utility (SBUU - I THINK, I am a HP man myself) which will inject all of the necessary drivers for the server (RAID, NIC etc) as part of an OS deployment.

It should be bootable and pretty intuitive to use. At least HP SmartStart is

What Server OS is it? 2008 should allow you to specify controller drivers from USB media. 2003 will want a floppy disk though (groan... -_-) I would still recommend deploying with the Dell tools though.

Django x2 · 21 Jan 2012 at 11:45

Yeah, I've whacked the OM CD in now, wondered if I'd booted straight to 2008 R2, then put the CD in if it would find the drivers?

I too, am an HP man myself

Sin_Chase · 21 Jan 2012 at 14:51

It might find it on the disc but I have a funny feeling they are likely compressed/unavailable for raw use.

Django x2 · 21 Jan 2012 at 23:21

Yeah, ti wouldn't unpack. The reason this annoyed me is because SBS 2011 can read from an answer file held on a local disk at the root. If it finds this, it stops the setup process and means you can customise your domain name (withouth the .local append). However, I whaced that on a USB stick and it sill worked.