Loading OS on Dell SC1425

I just bought a refurbished Dell SC1425 and want to load the OS on it, but it has no CD drive, how do i install the OS if i do not have a CD Drive to install from and a USB one will not recognize it
BeaucairejAsked:
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jfer0x01Commented:
Hi,

are you 100% sure all USB functions are enabled in the BIOS?

If that doesn't work, open the box, and look for a IDE ribbon cable to connect CD-Rom to

If that doesn't work, does your LAN card work

use Norton Ghost or a similar application on another machine to host an install cd

and use PXE to distribute it over the lan

Jfer
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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
Jfer;

From what I can all USB functions are turned on, but this is my 1st time using this box and using a 1U server.  There is a IDE connection inside the box but i don't see any power connections, i may have to split the one for the drives, as that is all i see.  Other wise i will try the PXE solution.

Thanks for your help
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jfer0x01Commented:
When you power a USB cd-rom, it sholuld appear in the BIOS

1.make sure you change the boot device priority in the BIOS to make the CD-Rom First pick

Ill give you a hand if it comes down to PXE

Jfer
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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
I did that and it did see the USB CD Rom in BIOS, but when booting it says No CD ROm found and with the OS Disk in the drive it does nothing and says no OS press F1 to retry or F2 to enter setup.
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jfer0x01Commented:
Ok,

I imagine the cd-rom works elsewhere fine correct?

It's very strange that it would see the cd-rom and not load

any way

try to find a power splitter, or even make your own!, just make sure to electrical tape the cable afterwards

http://www.atechfabrication.com/images/htpc/products/cable_007_640.jpg

or, you can order an IDE power supply

http://www.satacables.com/SATA-Hard-Drive-to-usb-adapter/IDE-SATA-ADAPTER-237.jpg

The PXE way will require more effort, but perhaps, this is a technique you can use later on

Jfer

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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
I plugged in an IDE CD Rom and it still does not recognize the CD Rom.  I think the PXE method might be best.  If you could instruct me that would be great.

Thanks
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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
I have ordered an internal CD Rom for this and should be in next week.  
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jfer0x01Commented:
Ok,

Did you see the CD-Rom in the BIOS at least?

Does the BIOS Setting for allow you to boot from another device set?

Try flashing Bios, can you connect a floppy drive to it if you had to?

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=PWE_XEO_1425SC&os=WNET&osl=en&catid=&impid=

Jfer
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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
Jfer;
Yes it sees the CD Rom in BIOS.
By another device set, do you mean an external device?  It does have the capaility to boot from the LAN if that is what you mean?

The internal CD came in but it is the wrong one.  So can we try to load the OS via the PXE method?  I have never done that before so some hand holding may be in order.

Thanks
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jfer0x01Commented:
Sure thing

what other OS's do you have in your Lan that we can tinker with?

Which one would you preffer to use?

Jfer

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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
XP Pro
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jfer0x01Commented:
Hi,

the solution is here

http://thesystemadministrator.com/The_System_Administrator/Tips_&_Tricks/PXE,_aka_Pre-Execution_Environment_-_Part_1/

set the PXe server up first, then, follow Part 2, the author suggest to use Acronis to ge the image

put perhaps, step two will not work for you

make the fundamental server with part one

Jfer
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jfer0x01Commented:
any progress?
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BeaucairejAuthor Commented:
jfer0x01:

sorry i didn't get back to you sooner, i changed the cable on the CD drive and hooked it up to the IDE port on the MB.  Changed a couple parameteres in the BIOS and it worked.  I was able to load the OS and it is working fine now.  I will try the PXE load just in case.  Thanks for all your help.
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