Help with SSD

tellmeitsfriday

Hi,

Slightly geeky question; help needed.

I bought a HP server box, with the intention of using it as a Home Theatre PC and back up device.

I bought Windows Home Server 2011 and a nice 128gb SSD for the OS and common software.

I've encountered a "helpful" feature of MS where it insists on a minimum hard drive size of 160gb even though it then proceeds to partition the drives in to 2 - one of 60gb the other of the balance, and only uses 20gb of the 60gb.

I thought I'd found a work-around, which skips the hardware check part of the installation, but then fails further on once it's started to install.

It creates a log file, but I do not understand the contents, and wondered if anyone knows how to make it install windows.

The guide I am following is here:
http://connecteddigitalworld.com/2011/09/20/installing-whs-2011-or-sbs-2011-essentials-on-ssd-or-sata-hard-drives-smaller-than-160gb/

The file i create to skip the hardware check is here:
[WinPE]
CheckReqs=0
PID=WHS serial #
ConfigDisk=1
WindowsPartitionSize=MAX

[InitialConfiguration]
ServerName=your server name
Settings=All
PlainTextPassword=your server pw
PasswordHint=password hint

And the error log file I get is here:
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Beginning execution from folder: X:\sources
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] Failed to wait for PnP devices some drives and devices may not be visibile
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Found Configuration File F:\cfg.ini
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Setup Running in Unnatended Mode from cfg file
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] starting unattend mode
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Setup Collecting User Data

---

[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for DefaultLanguage
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for DefaultKeyboard
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Skipping optional configuration, no value specified
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for DefaultLocale
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Skipping optional configuration, no value specified
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for DefaultTimeZone
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Skipping optional configuration, no value specified
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for DefaultServerName
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] WARNING: Unable to verify computer name availability due to network error 2136
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for Drivers
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Skipping optional configuration, no value specified
[11/24/2012 1:23:15 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for InstallDisk
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Disk 61d07d54-cf3d-4a76-a295-83bea6dd288d
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Name: \\?\CdRom0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Friendly Name:
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Device path: \\?\usbstor#cdrom&ven_philips&prod_ed16dvds&rev_j5s7#def10a77fb06&0#{53f56308-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Adaptor: ED16DVDS
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Status: ONLINE
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Health: HEALTHY
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Device type: DVDROM
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Media type: 0x00000033
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Size: 4305752064
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Bytes per sector: 2048
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Sectors per track: 32
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Tracks per cylinder: 64
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Flags: 0x00000000
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Bus type: VDSBusTypeUsb
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Partition style: MBR
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Signature: 0x00000001
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 0 type 0x00000002 size 4305752064 offset 0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Pack (null) status 0x00000001 flags 0x00000000
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] [Online]
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Disk 45bb1e01-51e6-486e-a563-4675c45a3840
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Name: \\?\PhysicalDrive0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Friendly Name:
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Address: Port2Path0Target0Lun0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Device path: \\?\ide#diskm4-ct128m4ssd2__________________________000f____#5&3abc4ab4&0&0.0.0#{53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Adaptor: ATA Channel 0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Status: ONLINE
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Health: HEALTHY
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Device type: DISK
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Media type: 0x0000000c
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Size: 128035676160
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Bytes per sector: 512
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Sectors per track: 63
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Tracks per cylinder: 255
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Flags: 0x00001000
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Bus type: VDSBusTypeSata
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Partition style: MBR
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Signature: 0x22aa0428
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 0 type 0x00007fff size 32256 offset 0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 1 type 0x00000001 size 1016320 offset 32256
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 2 type 0x00000002 size 104857600 offset 1048576
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 3 type 0x00000002 size 127928369152 offset 105906176
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 4 type 0x00000001 size 352256 offset 128034275328
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Pack (null) status 0x00000001 flags 0x00000000
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] [Online]
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Disk 0c79fd13-7d10-42fb-a5ce-4d6fe246aaf3
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Name: \\?\PhysicalDrive1
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Friendly Name:
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Device path: \\?\usbstor#disk&ven_usb&prod_flash_disk&rev_1100#fbh1107210500667&0#{53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Adaptor: Flash Disk
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Status: ONLINE
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Health: HEALTHY
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Device type: DISK
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Media type: 0x0000000b
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Size: 2004877312
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Bytes per sector: 512
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Sectors per track: 63
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Tracks per cylinder: 255
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Flags: 0x00005000
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Bus type: VDSBusTypeUsb
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Partition style: MBR
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Signature: 0xc3072e18
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 0 type 0x00007fff size 32256 offset 0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 1 type 0x00007fff size 1819136 offset 32256
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Extent 2 type 0x00000002 size 2003025920 offset 1851392
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Pack (null) status 0x00000001 flags 0x00000000
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] [Online]
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: BIOS requested boot disk is \Device\Harddisk1\Partition0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] WARNING: BIOS boot disk is set to a removable drive. You might need to change your boot order when windows setup reboots the machine
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] WARNING: BIOS Recommended boot disk not found defaulting system disk to the first usable disk
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for SystemPartitionType
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: MBR firmware detected
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: GetFirmwareEnvironmentVariableW indicated required partition type 1 (Status: 1)
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for SystemPartitionActive
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for SystemPartitionFormat
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for MSRPartitionType
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for WindowsPartitionID
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for WindowsPartitionSize
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Calculated pre system partition remaining space as: 127929769984
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Extending system partition over the remainder of the disk
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for WindowsPartitionExtend
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for FinalPartitionID
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: System partition set to span the disk skipping filler and final partitions
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for FillerCreationInfo
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: No filler partitions requested skipping assembly
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Creating filler partitions using XML: (null)
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for FillerModificationInfo
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: No filler partitions requested skipping assembly
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Modifying filler partitions using XML: (null)
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for InstallLanguage
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Populating internal setting from existing data
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for PID
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Skipping optional configuration, no value specified
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Getting configuration for PostInstallScript
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Skipping optional configuration, no value specified
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Setup Checking System Requirements

---

[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Checking CheckReqs key in the ini file
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Found CheckReqs=0 in the ini File, will not enforce system requirements
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] ERROR: System does not meet minimum HDD requirements. Required 160 GB; Actual 128 GB
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: System meets minimum RAM requirements
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: System meets minimum processor speed requirements
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: System meets minimum processor core requirements
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: System meets architecture requirements
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Setup Configuring System Drive

---

[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Checking ConfigDisk key in the ini file
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] Successfully cleaned disk \\?\PhysicalDrive0
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Setup Launching Windows Installation

---

[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Creating the unattend file from the template
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Checking RunSetup key in the ini file
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Checking SetupCmdLn key in the ini file
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: No value supplied, using default value
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Handing cotrol to windows setup and marking the cfg.ini as processed
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] INFO: Launching Win7 Setup from: X:\sources\setup.exe with cmd line: setup.exe /uilanguage:en-us /unattend:X:\unattend.xml)
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] ERROR: Win7 Setup Exited with 31
[TRACE] UIBackend::RunWindowsSetup : Exited (0x80004005)
[TRACE] UIBackend::Launch : Exited (0x80004005)
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] There was an error launching unattended setup.
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] Getting the reason for the failure.
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] Failed generating the unattend file and launching Windows Setup
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] starting the ui mode to show the error page since there was a failed attempt to run in unattended mode
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] Initializing common controls
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] Done initializing common controls
[11/24/2012 1:24:01 PM 2f8] Displaying the wizard


Can any one suggest why it might be failing to install please, and what i might do to make it work.

Somewhere else suggests I put the cfg.ini and a copy of the contents of the install DVD onto one usb drive, but I have tried it and and that doesn't work.

I have also tried it with and without formatting the drive (although I am pretty sure the installer formats the hard drive?)

When I have the drive in a working computer, it installs the SSD with drivers and shows it as F:\ on My Computer.

I appreciate any advice or guidance you might be able to give

Thanks x

Stooby2

I have no idea about MS server, but could you install it on a large hard drive and then clone it to your SSD?

tellmeitsfriday

Yes, I could, and I might just end up doing that .

It's just frustrating, if it can be done then why isn't it working...!

Grr! (and thanks )

diable

The log file says that it sees the drive as a removable drive, maybe thats the issue?

DevCoder

Youve got CheckReqs set to 0 so it isnt due to any hardware or requirements issues as setting it to 0 in effect ignores any failures

Its getting to the install stage and then failing to generate the OOB file, so my suggestions are

Make sure you have no other drives other than the SSD and the dvd drive.

Verify the DVD CRC and original ISO CRC

Try making a bootable usb drive

1. Plug in your USB Thumb Drive
2. Install Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool
3. Start Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool
4. Browse to the ISO image
5. Click Next
6. Select the USB device option
7. Select the USB Thumb Drive from the drop down
8. Click Begin Copying
9. Accept any warnings

Then create the OOB answers file


1. Open Notepad or equivalent text editor (not a Rich Text Editor)
2. Add the following lines
[WinPE]
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
WindowsPartitionSize=MAX
3. Save the file as cfg.ini
4. Place the cfg.ini in the [ROOT] of the USB Drive

then try booting and installing off the usb drive (remove your dvd drive whilst doing this)

DevCoder

You can ignore the removeable drive warnings, it would seem you have USB above HDD in your bios boot order?

bluesnake

What model of hp server? On some HP servers the SAS connector looks very much like a Sata drive connection but no little plastic keys on the connection. google the spec.


Got the correct windows hardware drivers, as they may not be on the windows install disk?

tellmeitsfriday

bluesnake wrote: »

What model of hp server? On some HP servers the SAS connector looks very much like a Sata drive connection but no little plastic keys on the connection. google the spec.


Got the correct windows hardware drivers, as they may not be on the windows install disk?

It's a HP Proliant N40L. (http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF28a/15351-15351-4237916-4237917-4237917-4248009-5163346.html?dnr=1)

tellmeitsfriday

krisdorey wrote: »

Youve got CheckReqs set to 0 so it isnt due to any hardware or requirements issues as setting it to 0 in effect ignores any failures

Its getting to the install stage and then failing to generate the OOB file, so my suggestions are

Make sure you have no other drives other than the SSD and the dvd drive.

Verify the DVD CRC and original ISO CRC

Try making a bootable usb drive

1. Plug in your USB Thumb Drive
2. Install Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool
3. Start Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool
4. Browse to the ISO image
5. Click Next
6. Select the USB device option
7. Select the USB Thumb Drive from the drop down
8. Click Begin Copying
9. Accept any warnings

Then create the OOB answers file


1. Open Notepad or equivalent text editor (not a Rich Text Editor)
2. Add the following lines
[WinPE]
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
WindowsPartitionSize=MAX
3. Save the file as cfg.ini
4. Place the cfg.ini in the [ROOT] of the USB Drive

then try booting and installing off the usb drive (remove your dvd drive whilst doing this)

I need to get a bigger usb stick before I can try this, but I will try it and report back.

Thanks for your idea I appreciate your time.

bluesnake

I've also never worked with home server before.

think this line could be your problem and think it is not recognising your config file entry, or is in the wrong place, or finds another of the same name elsewhere.
[11/24/2012 1:23:27 PM 2f8] ERROR: System does not meet minimum HDD requirements. Required 160 GB; Actual 128 GB

f: drive instead of c:? are there other partitions currently on the disk? I so delete them.

You have set the bios to ahci for the ssd?

Here are similar instructions http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2011/04/how-to-install-windows-home-server-2011.html

you could always cheat, install it on a normal drive, then resize the partition to 100g then copy that to the ssd, then expand the partition again or something like this
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2053134