Server crashes while installing Windows Server 2003 Standard R2 x64

[NoodleTech]

I just bought a Dell Poweredge T110 and also downloaded Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard x64 off Technet.

I burned the ISO and proceeded to pop the CD into the server and start installing the OS. The normal blue screen with Windows Setup in the upper left appears and it starts loading drivers/files. When it says "starting windows" in the lower left corner, the screen goes black for a second then I get a blue screen with a message.

Here's a picture of the error message:

Any idea what is going on? This is a brand new server straight out of the box.

Here are the specs:
* Intel Xeon X3430, 2.4 GHz, 8M Cache, Turbo
* 2GB (2x1GB) Memory 1066MHz Single Ranked UDIMM
* 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA 3Gbps 3.5" Cabled Hard Drive
* On-Board Dual Gigabit Network Adapter
* DVD Drive, Internal

 

[sonoma1993]

one thing I would check is the memory modules. take them both out and install one at a time to see how far server 2003 r2 install goes with only one memory module install.

 

[theevilsharpie]

0x7B = Inaccessible boot device

When you installed Windows, did you have to specify a storage controller driver? If so, was the media with the driver accessible to Windows Setup for the entire installation?

 

[NoodleTech]

Okay thanks for the reply. I will try taking out the memory.

theevilsharpie, I did not even get to install windows. This happens before I even get to choose which partition to install windows to

 

[theevilsharpie]

What media are you using to install Windows? If it's a CD, do you have a SATA CD-ROM drive?

 

[NoodleTech]

CD and yes its a SATA drive

 

[theevilsharpie]

Check you BIOS and see if there's an option to configure the on-board SATA ports for IDE emulation.

 

[redbeard1]

If you do not find the setting in the bios that tells the SATA hard drive, something like native or compatibility mode, then you may need to come up with a USB floppy drive to do an F6 driver install with the SATA/raid drivers.

 

[RebateMonger]

Be sure to check the Dell Forums for anything like this. I recently bought a Dell T300 and it had a weird Power Management issue in the BIOS that would stop the install until a setting was disabled in BIOS.

It certainly seems like a disk/controller issue (either hard disk or CD) and it's unlikely that Windows drivers are responsible, since the first part of the Install is done at a very low level that's done before the F6 Windows driver install thing.

 

[redbeard1]

The 0x0000007b error is a common install error, whether on a server or just a basic computer, if the bios is set to use native SATA settings.

The F6 prompt for installing a driver occurs long before the blue screen occurs.

 

[RebateMonger]

I've read this a couple of times and I'm still having a hard time understanding at what point this error message is coming up. I've never seen a 0x0000007b message during the INSTALL process for XP/2003. If there's no Windows drivers for the disk controller, then Windows usually comes up with the error, "Sorry, couldn't find any hard drives" or something like that. I don't remember any STOP errors at that point. At that point, you re-start the Install process and remember to F6 next time and feed Windows the suitable disk controller drivers from a floppy disk next time.

Certainly if Windows is trying to start up it doesn't have a driver for the disk controller, then it'll 0x0000007b. If Server 2003R2 doesn't have a driver for whatever disk controller you are using, then it should be manually loaded at the beginning F6 opportunity or things aren't going to work.

 

[sanzibar]

I had this problem with my system no matter what I tried it would always blue screen. Then I remembered that the server came with a dvd “systems management tool and documentation”. I used that dvd for the setup and then it worked like a charm. If you don’t have the dvd you can download a copy from dells website. http://support.dell.com best luck

 

[RebateMonger]

The O.P. posted this problem in another thread and, as I recall, it turned out to be the Intel AHCI disk controller drivers that were missing. Those were likely on the Dell setup CD.

 

[rasczak]

OP, do a hard drive scan to verify your HD is ok. Go to the HD manuf.'s website to pull down the software.

 

[sphelele]

Hi Buddy,

I kind of struggle with the same issue.
I manage to overcome by entering setup F2 on boot up went to advance option clicked on Sata and selected compatibility and I then could see all my drives when I press f6 to select boot option.

it should be the same will the dell Server

Hope this will help.

Thanks