Thursday, March 24, 2016

Windows 2008 R2 Install Hangs on Dell T330

Had an interesting issue on a new Dell server this week. Normally we are installing Windows Server 2012 R2 but a client had a requirement for Windows 2008 R2 on this particular server to run DPM 2010. Did our usual installation route, but the install hung at the first screen where you select language and keyboard settings. Initially I thought this might be occurring because I had the ISO mounted remotely through the iDRAC, but the same error occured on site too.

It turns out that the problem was due to USB 3.0 drivers. The newest Dell servers have only USB 3.0 ports and Windows Server 2008 R2 does not include USB 3.0 drivers, only USB 2.0 drivers. For the higher end R430/T430 servers you can change the USB support to 2.0 in the BIOS for installing older operating systems. For the R330/T330 and lower, it isn't possible to turn off USB 3.0 in the BIOS.

Ultimately the solution was to inject USB 3.0 drivers into the Windows Server 2008 R2 install media. Which sounds like a giant pain but Dell provides a utility that does it for you. The Driver Update Utility adds the USB 3.0 drivers and if you have other drivers, you have an option to add them also.
UPDATE: Some of the newer Dell models have an option in the firmware to disable USB 3.0 and use USB 2.0. Check that out if your having this issue. Be aware that the less expensive servers do not have this option. However, I don't have a list of which ones do and don't have the feature.
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11 comments:

  1. Byron WrightMay 29, 2016 at 12:03 PM

    I should point out that this same scenario can happen with newer desktop computers and laptops if you are installing Windows 7. Windows 7 also does not have USB 3.0 drivers included.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 1, 2016 at 1:54 PM

    Do you happen to have a working link for the driver update utility? Running into this now myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Byron WrightNovember 1, 2016 at 2:22 PM

      I just clicked on the link above "Dell Driver Update Utility". The Zip file downloaded and I was able to open the zip file. So, I think the link is still good.

      Delete
    2. Byron WrightNovember 1, 2016 at 2:25 PM

      The second link with the instructions also has a link for the driver update utility at the bottom of the page.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousNovember 1, 2016 at 2:34 PM

      Thanks; was a proxy issue on my end!!! This install should go a lot smoother now...

      Delete
  3. UnknownMarch 7, 2017 at 2:51 PM

    I went another route. I purchaed a USB 2.o PCIe card, Installed that in the R330. installed Server 2008R2. and removed the card for next time.

    Tried the Slipstream method but coudlnt' seem to make it work. Sure i'm doing something wrong but I'm out of time and need this to work. so....

    I used this:

    https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158172&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownDecember 4, 2017 at 1:46 AM

    Dell T330 server 2008 windows server not found hdd drive
    any solution????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Byron WrightDecember 4, 2017 at 8:13 AM

      That may indicate that you don't have the correct storage drivers. Make sure you're initiating the installation from the Lifecycle controller which adds the proper drivers. Installing directly from DVD might not have all of the necessary drivers.

      Delete
  5. UnknownJanuary 16, 2018 at 2:30 PM

    i inject the usb 3.0 drivrer but hdd not found.... any solution.???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Byron WrightJanuary 16, 2018 at 2:35 PM

      Not seeing the the hard drive will be missing storage drivers. You need to add the correct driver for the RAID card. On a Dell server, if you start the install by using the Lifecycle controller, it will inject the correct storage driver automatically. If you're installing straight from DVD, you'll need to add the storage driver at the point you select the disk to install onto.

      Delete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2018 at 12:35 PM

    Why DELL can´t offer a slipstreamed disk image and save us a lot of time?

    ReplyDelete

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