Problem with a homebrew server

DeaconFrost

DeaconFrost

[H]F Junkie
2FA
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
11,610
I built a server this weekend to run the Vail beta on for the time being. I'll post the specs below, but I can't seem to get any OS installed on it. I've tried the Vail DVD, a Windows 7 boot flash drive, and a Windows Server 2008 R2 flash drive. The latter two flash drives I've used many times, so I know they work.

No matter what OS I try, or how I have the three drives configured, I can't get passed the first Windows "splash" type screen. The system boots, shows me the black screen with the white bar at the bottom to copy files....then the Windows animation of the four dots coming together for the flag. Then I get the silver-ish screen with white streaks, no text, no mouse cursor...nothing. I've tried wiping the drives clean, clearing their MBRs, and I am still having no luck. I've tried them in a RAID5 array using the ICH10R, in normal AHCI mode, and even IDE mode. I've run WD diagnostics on the drives, and found no issues. I also have known working memory in the system. Any ideas?

Specs:
Intel Core2Quad Q8300
Asus P5Q Pro, latest BIOS
8 GB Corasir XMS DDR2-800
(3) WD Green 1.5TB EARS drives

I don't get any error messages, either, nor do I get far enough to load in other drivers.
 
Is the memory in the right slots? Try a single stick?

Is there a video card in the system with a power connection required? Systems can crash when the card draws more power to run at higher resolution instead of the lower res install screens.
 
Remove all but one stick of RAM and see what happens.
 
The memory is in all 4 slots, and had been working perfectly fine in my primary system for a year before my Sandy Bridge upgrade...but I'll still pull them all but one. 2 GB should be plenty for me to get something installed.

I do have a video card in, but it is a measily 4350 that requires no additional power.
 
I tried with only one stick of memory, and I'm still having trouble installing...this time as a RAID setup. I was finally able to install Windows 7 to a single drive in AHCI mode, though, after clearing the BIOS.

Here's another question. I bought it from a seller on here who was using some third-party BIOS on the board. He says he flashed the BIOS back to the latest Asus BIOS, and it seems that was in usage. However, I'm not finding some options....like when you set the controllers to RAID, there is no where to set that as the boot device...the drives and controller aren't listed in the possible boot devices. Could the third party BIOS somehow be to blame for this?
 
I had this same problem with that same motherboard. I finally gave up and bought a gigabyte motherboard and did it. :(
 
Dear OP,

1. Put everything back according to what you anticipate. Verify various jumpers are in default condition. Check the motherboard CMOS battery. Load BIOS default.
2. If you do not mind losing data, set disks in AHCI or Legacy IDE mode.
3. Boot Fedora LiveCD/USB. If OS loaded and login OK, check dmesg or /var/log/messages to study any anomaly. This step is to reveal whether basic hardware is running according to spec for stability.
4. Use Fedora Disk Utility to format every involved mechanical disks to MSDOS-partition or No-partition. (Don't accidently format your own LiveUSB flash drive). This step hopefully clears the disk metadata.
5. Boot back to BIOS, change disk-type back to RAID. Boot to BIOS Option-ROM to configure BIOS-Fake-RAID.
6. Boot Windows 7 again.

Optionally. you may need to get updated ATI drivers and put them on USB-flash drive for initial installation. (The basis of this comment is I once had a system showing similar issue booting Windows XP, everything good, just no video, I tested Vista just to see what happened and it installed and came up just fine. Now the system is running Fedora)
 
What I would try is to wait like 5-10 min at the splash screen. I had that problem already (but only with Windows 7 and Vista) with several boards and even inside a VM. To the user it seems that the system freezed, but after a long time it magically continues. I could never figure out the reason for this, as the OS runs just fine later.
 
I cleared the CMOS and got a little farther along in an OS install. Vail gave me weird error codes, but Windows 7 actually told me now that the problem is I'm trying to boot from a 3 TB array.

Assuming this board doesn't have the proper BIOS capabilities of booting an array that large, what are my options? Find a new Socket 775 board with RAID that does? Use smaller drivers? Run a smaller OS drive and use the array strictly for storage?
 
DeaconFrost said:
I cleared the CMOS and got a little farther along in an OS install. Vail gave me weird error codes, but Windows 7 actually told me now that the problem is I'm trying to boot from a 3 TB array.

Assuming this board doesn't have the proper BIOS capabilities of booting an array that large, what are my options? Find a new Socket 775 board with RAID that does? Use smaller drivers? Run a smaller OS drive and use the array strictly for storage?
Click to expand...

Seperate drive for OS only is your best option. You need a board with a UEFI bios to boot from >2.2TB arrays.
 
I think I may have a better solution. I ordered a RocketRAID 2300 card. It claims to be able to handle 2 TB + arrays, and I will revert back to an Intel DG33FB board that supports UEFI, so I think I should be good to go. My array can than be transferable to a new system down the road, should I decided to upgrade my server again. *fingers crossed*
 
I am happy to report a positive update. I ended up buying a HighPoint RocketRAID 2300 from a forum member, quique55, and it is not installed in my server, running a RAID5 array with my three 1.5 TB drives. Not only is it booting properly, but Windows Home Server 2011 RC is running very well on it. New specs are as follows:

Intel Core2Quad Q8300
Intel DG33FB
8 GB Corasir XMS DDR2-800
(3) WD Green 1.5TB EARS drives, RAID5
HighPoint RocketRAID 2300.

Thanks for all the help and info! Now, any suggestions on cluster size?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top