Can't reinstall Windows Server 2003 from CD
I am trying to rebuild a server that "crashed" out windows SharePoint services 3.0 install after a Windows update. The goal is to just reinstall everything and then upload the database files that were saved off the machine prior.
Unfortunately, I'm having issues getting the server to boot to my install disk I placed in the CD-ROM drive.
I have even gone into the BIOS and forced the boot to CD-ROM and disabled other boot options and it still only boots to the hard drive.
Is there some other setting I need to change so I can boot to my OS install disk?
Unfortunately, I'm having issues getting the server to boot to my install disk I placed in the CD-ROM drive.
I have even gone into the BIOS and forced the boot to CD-ROM and disabled other boot options and it still only boots to the hard drive.
Is there some other setting I need to change so I can boot to my OS install disk?
Based on the OS version, it would seem this system might have some age on it? It may be that the CD / DVD drive on the system is not properly functioning which would prevent it from booting. Another issue may be the media you are booting from.
Can you:
1. Test the Windows 2003 boot disk on a system with a known good working CD / DVD drive?
2. Try to boot another CD in the server (I often download Ubuntu for this purpose)?
If it turns out it is the drive that is a problem, a quick solution would be to use an external USB CD / DVD provided the BIOS supports booting from USB. If you do not have an external USB drive and the system does support booting from USB media, you can also try to create a bootable USB Flash drive using a utility such as WinToFlash (http://wintoflash.com/download/en/ - note - I have never used this particular utility).
The next step(s) would be determined by the results of the above steps.
Can you:
1. Test the Windows 2003 boot disk on a system with a known good working CD / DVD drive?
2. Try to boot another CD in the server (I often download Ubuntu for this purpose)?
If it turns out it is the drive that is a problem, a quick solution would be to use an external USB CD / DVD provided the BIOS supports booting from USB. If you do not have an external USB drive and the system does support booting from USB media, you can also try to create a bootable USB Flash drive using a utility such as WinToFlash (http://wintoflash.com/download/en/ - note - I have never used this particular utility).
The next step(s) would be determined by the results of the above steps.
ASKER
Interestingly, I can start the install disk from the server when it is booted up to Windows 2003 (which is its current OS)...but when it begins the install process, a message pops up about the OS currently installed being newer than the one I'm trying to install and doesn't let me do anything else...so I'm sure the disk drive is working on this server. Also, I just put the install disk to another server and it gave me the message "Press any key to boot from the CD" and proceeds to start the installation process.
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Thanks - hope that helped you out.
does a different known good cd boot on this system?