JamesonJendreas
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Dell Poweredge 2600 - Boot options!
Just looking for some suggestions,
I've got an older Dell PowerEdge 2600 server that I'm currently resurrecting to use in a test environment. I've got my copy of Server 2008 32bit all ready to go - only one problem. The Server doesn't have a DVD drive - CD only (shows you how old the thing is).
Anyway, the server does not have an IDE or SATA bus, SCSI only. I have no SCSI DVD drives. I've attempted to use an external DVD drive - no love, the BIOS only allow for boot via HDD, Floppy, or CD.
So, what I'm looking for - does anyone know if a BIOS upgrade would allow for USB boot support? I'll need to install some windows-based OS it seems to flash, and I don't want to waste my time if it's going to be fruitless. Also, I'm wondering if it would be safe to assume that popping either an IDE or SATA PCI card would allow for boot from a attached device (why not, I can boot from my RAID array - but that's a bit different I guess)
Any Suggestions
JJ
I've got an older Dell PowerEdge 2600 server that I'm currently resurrecting to use in a test environment. I've got my copy of Server 2008 32bit all ready to go - only one problem. The Server doesn't have a DVD drive - CD only (shows you how old the thing is).
Anyway, the server does not have an IDE or SATA bus, SCSI only. I have no SCSI DVD drives. I've attempted to use an external DVD drive - no love, the BIOS only allow for boot via HDD, Floppy, or CD.
So, what I'm looking for - does anyone know if a BIOS upgrade would allow for USB boot support? I'll need to install some windows-based OS it seems to flash, and I don't want to waste my time if it's going to be fruitless. Also, I'm wondering if it would be safe to assume that popping either an IDE or SATA PCI card would allow for boot from a attached device (why not, I can boot from my RAID array - but that's a bit different I guess)
Any Suggestions
JJ
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You should be able to load it to a USB key and load from that. You need at least 8 GB key to do it. Instructions are on the net. Another option is Windows Deployment Services. I would try USB key first as it takes a bit to download WDS and get it going.
BTY, Dell should have a floppy version of the BIOS installer.
BTY, Dell should have a floppy version of the BIOS installer.
ASKER
Sorry Kevin, but my BIOS doesn't allow for boot from USB - that's the issue (or else I'd at least try using one of my external DVD drives).
ASKER
Also, I don't have time to get a BIOS floppy from Dell, I'd rather install a copy of XP and flash from their utility
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ASKER
Thanks for the heads up - I did notice that the IDE requires the interposer (as I have a tape drive in it). But yeah - if a BIOS update will do the trick then I may be OK w.o buying anything. I'm currently installing 2003 server so that I can try to either update the BIOS or attempt an install from a USB drive initialed in a windows session.
If you get your boot from USB working, you can then use the below method to install Windows 2008 install to USB and install from there.
Download Microsoft Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool and install it from http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
Download Microsoft Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool and install it from http://store.microsoft.com/Help/ISO-Tool
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ASKER
Thanks Kevin,
Although at this point I've started doing what Zaid suggested. 2003's installed and I'm running the "Custom Install' from Windows. Looks to be creating the setup directory on my HDD.
Although at this point I've started doing what Zaid suggested. 2003's installed and I'm running the "Custom Install' from Windows. Looks to be creating the setup directory on my HDD.
You should upgrade your BIOS before doing the 2008 install. Could be compatability fixes.
ASKER
Planning upgrading the BIOS. Thanks for passing the Floppy link across as I could only find the Windows version (not that I looked too hard). I'll be upgrading those as well.
Thanks All for the suggestions.
JJ
Thanks All for the suggestions.
JJ
Fir the future, if you click on the circled link, you get the page that shows all of the different file packages, release notes, etc.
Dell-download-options.png
Dell-download-options.png
ASKER
Thanks for the tip. I've never used Dell Servers before (new job) and never really dealt with the Dell support site.
ASKER