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Comments: 12 | Views: 497
#Jul 3rd @ 12:53 PM
rahsoftware
rahsoftware
Hey All,

I have a Dell Poweredge 2650 which I want to upgrade to Windows Server 2008. But to install Windows Server 2008 I need a DVD drive, does anybody have one spair which I can buy off you?

Cheers,
Rob
#Jul 4th @ 1:32 AM
W3bbo
W3bbo
Don't those things take laptop form-factor DVD drives? They're like £20 on eBay now or something.

Otherwise, tried a USB drive?
#Jul 4th @ 2:04 AM
Dr Herbie
Dr Herbie

Presumably the server is on a network -- have you tried sharing a DVD drive from another machine?

Herbie

#Jul 4th @ 2:32 AM
rahsoftware
rahsoftware
Hey,

Well I hate trying to figure out how to do Network boots! Will it boot from a USB external DVD drive? It's something i've never tried if i'm being honest
#Jul 4th @ 2:35 AM
Sven Groot
Sven Groot
Most computers can boot from those nowadays.
#Jul 4th @ 4:30 AM
die-Sel
die-Sel
am 99% sure the 2650 will not boot from USB CDROM without a bios update, ver A20i think

EDIT: dam this site lows real slow now Sad
#Jul 4th @ 4:37 AM
rahsoftware
rahsoftware
This is turning into a nightmare, cannot get a Network boot going, nobody is selling compatable DVD drives, anyway software can split down the DVD into 2 CDs?
#Jul 4th @ 5:53 AM
die-Sel
die-Sel
i don't think you could split a bootable cd into 2 CDs and to be honest i wouldn't take the risk splitingthe Window ISO, its hard enough getting it to install sometimes with having to mess with 2 CDs. .

you cant even take the HD out unless you have SCSI ports and i don't think theres an IDE slot on the 2650s motherboard.

seems like your at a loss mate, have a poke over eBay, DVD drives are dirt cheap these day,your bound to get one for < £10.

EDIT: i just had a quick poke on Goole Shopping as ebay is blocked from my office but i found a HP DVD drive slim line for £9.99 - ebay link if it works for you:
#Jul 4th @ 6:15 AM
PerfectPhase
PerfectPhase

Try these guys http://www.upgrade.co.uk/ that's where I get most of my random dell parts these days, they're very helpful and I can't believe your the first person to have this issue Smiley

EDIT: they are the same drives that go in laptops a w3bbo suggested, see this thread http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Servers/Q_23106792.html someone had the same issue as you but could not get a Lite-On drive to work but a Sony brand worked fine.

#Jul 4th @ 6:49 AM
Dr Herbie
Dr Herbie
Flakey workaround idea #2:

Parition HD into two, copy bootable DVD from network drive into partition #2.  Boot from partition#2, install into parition#1, after install clean parition #2 and merge partitions (using clever partition management tools).



Or just go for the laptop DVD drive idea ...


I hate it when a simple idea (upgrade software) turns into a major project like this.  Happens too often in IT.

Herbie

#Jul 4th @ 7:14 AM
PerfectPhase
PerfectPhase

No need for partion tools, 2008/vista have an expand option that works for the system drive.

Or use a usb memory stick http://www.jesscoburn.com/archives/2007/10/15/installing-windows-2008-via-usb-thumbdrive/

#Jul 4th @ 1:37 PM
rahsoftware
rahsoftware
Cheers for all your suggestions guys, i'm quite dissapointed the install is not on 2 CDs. I have a more an adiquate server and all it will run is IIS7 i'm just annoyed about spending time doing these installs when I really just dont have the time Sad. Oh well, Anyway; I bought an external DVD drive today from the over priced PC world but I need to upgrade my bios because it does not see the external disk.

Any owners of a PE2650 managed to use an external disk to boot?
#Jul 4th @ 4:40 PM
rahsoftware
rahsoftware
Tried the USB no luck with the BIOS picking it up as a boot device, so now for the partition bit.
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Comments: 12 | Views: 497