Win2k3 Svr - Changing RAID driver on Boot partition
I am searching for a way to integrate a new RAID controller driver into an existing Windows Server 2003 R2 SP1 installation.
This particular server was intended to have a RAID 1 installation on two SATA drives. However, only one was present during the initial hardware build (2nd on back order). On this particular model of IBM server, the onboard SATA controller does NOT operate in RAID mode by default. So when the install from the basic OEM cd started, it did not ask for any RAID drivers, and just used a default hard disk controller driver.
My first clue to the problem was when the ServerRAID manager software failed to find any controllers.
When I enabled the RAID mode on the controller via BIOS, the OS failed to boot correctly. The progress bar would complete once, then half way thru the 2nd cycle the machine would bluescreen and reset automatically.
I am hoping there is a way to install the correct RAID driver and have the OS boot without having to do a repair installation. Of course, being a newer server, it does NOT come with a floppy drive to use F6 text mode drivers. I tried to set a USB key in floppy mode, but the OS didn't find the driver either. That leaves me little hope in a USB floppy as well.
Hardware information: IBM server, xSeries 206m (8490-AC1) w/ ServeRAID-8e
Also, does anyone know how to add a HDD with existing data into a RAID-1 array, building from the existing data partition? Trying to avoid going to the backups if at all possible.
I highly suspect I'll end up temporarily installing an internal floppy drive, having to ghost partitions back onto the RAID array once it's built from scratch, and performing a repair OS install with the F6 method of drivers. Hopefully there is an easier way out there someone can point out.
This particular server was intended to have a RAID 1 installation on two SATA drives. However, only one was present during the initial hardware build (2nd on back order). On this particular model of IBM server, the onboard SATA controller does NOT operate in RAID mode by default. So when the install from the basic OEM cd started, it did not ask for any RAID drivers, and just used a default hard disk controller driver.
My first clue to the problem was when the ServerRAID manager software failed to find any controllers.
When I enabled the RAID mode on the controller via BIOS, the OS failed to boot correctly. The progress bar would complete once, then half way thru the 2nd cycle the machine would bluescreen and reset automatically.
I am hoping there is a way to install the correct RAID driver and have the OS boot without having to do a repair installation. Of course, being a newer server, it does NOT come with a floppy drive to use F6 text mode drivers. I tried to set a USB key in floppy mode, but the OS didn't find the driver either. That leaves me little hope in a USB floppy as well.
Hardware information: IBM server, xSeries 206m (8490-AC1) w/ ServeRAID-8e
Also, does anyone know how to add a HDD with existing data into a RAID-1 array, building from the existing data partition? Trying to avoid going to the backups if at all possible.
I highly suspect I'll end up temporarily installing an internal floppy drive, having to ghost partitions back onto the RAID array once it's built from scratch, and performing a repair OS install with the F6 method of drivers. Hopefully there is an easier way out there someone can point out.
rindi
You can try right clicking the inf file of your f6 drivers "floppy" and then selecting "install", then try a reboot in raid mode.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
how about a usb floppy drive. we used on on our dell server.