Can't get an IBM xSeries 345 server to load Windows Server 2003 using ServerGuide utility
- by Kyle Noland
I have a client that has an IBM xSeries 345 eServer. Per the IBM support website, I have downloaded the ServerGuide Setup 7.4.17 installation ISO and burned a bootable CD. The CD boots fine and loads the utility. I walk through the following screens without any issue:
Set the date and Time
Detect the IBM ServeRAID card and install the latest firmware
Clear the hard disks
Set up the RAID array
The next step is format the NOS partition. I select my partition size and the utility goes through the following steps:
Creating NOS partition
Formatting NOS partition (NTFS)
Copying W32 files
The copying W32 files takes about 10 minutes. I see the CD drive and disks working hard. When the copying is complete, I'm taken to a blank page just NOS Partitioning at the top. At the bottom of the screen are the familiar Back and Exit buttons. I see the place where the Next button should be, and if I click on it I can tell there is something there, but the space is empty. No button is displayed and clicking the empty spot doesn't ever take me to the next screen.
I can't load the OS until I get past this part. I have already tried:
Burning multiple copies and versions of the ServerGuide CD
Letting the final screen just sit there over the weekend thinking it might advance after syncing the drives or something
Has anybody else seen this? I'm really at a loss here.