[How long does a Windows Server O/S take to install?]

I do not know if this is the correct place to post this but her it goes.

I have finally got Windows Server 2008 and installed [tried too] 19th @ 4.30pm. Checked it about 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm and still was installing. So I went to go get some shut eye. Early in the morning about 6.15am it was in a screen where there was a green bar going back and forth and above that it said: "Microsoft Corporation ".

So I decided to try installing it once again. Started it @ 6.50am and when I got home @ 3.45pm it was still at that "Microsoft Corporation" screen. So once again I went ahead and tried it again; which I started it @ 4.30pm today 20th. At this time it is at the installation window and at it's final section; which is "Completing Installing ...." and at the bottom the green bar is almost at the end.

So I ask this question: "How long does a Windows Server O/S take to install? "

Thanks in advance.
DMT

 

Shouldn't take so long.

What's the hardware you are using ?

 

IBM xSeries 235 P4 XEON 2.66Ghz 512Mb Computer Server, and got a IBM 36.4 GB 15K Ultra320 Disks 32P0734 w/ Hot Swap Tray.

I was trying to install XP on it before, which didn't work. I was doing so to see if it would take that o/s program; which of course didn't. Here's the link to that post. http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/81322-ibm-server.html

*It's 6.23am and I am going to see which part of the installation it's at. And maybe let it ride till I get home from work.*

Thanks
DMT

 

Your server must have come with installation cd. Boot from that, prepare your hard disk & then install OS. It may also copy some required files to your hard disks due to which you are facing problems.

 

Okay got home and it is still on the "Installing" Screen on the "Complete Installation" section.

Yes the system has 512mb. And no the system came with no Disk for system or even for the SCSI.

Thanks
DMT

 

Okay, I just went and purchased 2GB of IBM PC2100 Memory Sticks. So that will give me a total of 2.5GB of Memory. Lets see if that will make the installation go much smoother.

Thanks to those who replied.
DMT

 

Strange.

Is it a new system ?

 

not true, server 2003 works fine with 512 ram.

It should take less then a hour to install. Try pressing shift F10 durint the graphic installer. That will open acmd prompt ... see if the CDrom is visable to the installer.

I have run it with as little as 256. I have 3 virtual servers running right now with 384mb.

 

Can I cut in here with my tuppence worth?

Perhaps a (hardware) hard drive/memory problem?

 

I doubt it wildfire. It seems like a driver issue to me.

Its also strange that the server did not come with any setup/installation cd. On almost all the servers you need to run the cd before installing any thing or it doesn't work out.

 

@ rsinfo:
No the system isn't new. I bought it on ebay.

@ bilbus:
I will defiantly try the F10. I did do a system check and everything got the okay. No conflict within the system. It see the DVD, CDROM, SCSI Hard Drive, Memory, etc.

So I didn't get any disk with the system and I also bought the SCSI on eBay. I did ask the seller for the SCSI disk; which the seller stated he didn't have one. He also sent me the link to Download the drivers on IBM website and of course there isn't much of any drivers on the site. I placed what they had on a floppy and still nothing. But that was when I was trying to install XP on this system.

I've done some researched on IBM and found these drivers, but not sure which to start Downloading? Here's a link to IBM: http://www-947.ibm.com/systems/supp...ily=5102888&oldtype=5102965&taskind=2&psid=sp

Thank you everyone for all your replies and help.
DMT

 

Okay received my 2GB of memory yesterday. Installed them and ran Windows Server 2008, again at 3:15pm. At 8:45pm it was still at the "Completing Installation ".

Went on the net and downloaded the Driver Pack Mass Storage onto a CD. But that into the IBM, fired it up and got the safe mode, safe mode with network, start windows normally, etc.. Tried everyone of them. Nothing happened, it just made the server hang.

9:45pm downloaded Linux onto a CD and then placed it into the IBM. Everything downloaded and was running within the hour. This system I don't care for at all.

Anyone has anymore Ideas?

DMT

 

Seems like Linux can detect & install drivers for your server but Windows can't. One hour as installation time is fine & that's the time it should take [I hope it answers your original question ].

Without the original cds I don't see a way to load Windows on the server. Could you email/call IBM & have them ship the cds to you ?

 

Have a look at this http://www-947.ibm.com/systems/supp...ocdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-51940&brandind=5000008.

Though this document is for Win2k3, its also applicable for Win2k8.

 

did you use the comand prompt to see if there was a D drive?

 

Okay this is very weird. I went and got windows server 2000, still had the issues from trying to install xp. Then I went and got windows server 2003 and it all installed perfectly!

I don't know why it went throw, but at this time it is updating and thus far no problems. I have no clue why but it works! All I did was put in the 2003 CD and it started to do it's thing. This is the weirdest thing I have ever came across.

I do wanna thanks EVERYONE who has put there input on trying to help me out and giving me advice on what to do. I really do appreciate everything from you all!

*lifts his goblet*
CHEERS!

DMT

 

Good to know.

My guess - drivers.

 

Probably 2003 had the updated drivers? Instead of the 2000 and 2008?


DMT