Dell PowerEdge 2900 can't install OS

Hello

Server 2003 does not have built-in SAS drivers. You will need to load drivers during setup or slipstream drivers into the OS media. Server 2003 will only accept controller drivers during setup from a floppy disk. If you do not have a floppy to load the drivers from then there are methods to format a USB drive to emulate a floppy.

I would suggest searching online. There should be many guides on how to load controller drivers for server 2003. If you are using a Dell controller released with the 2900 then you can locate drivers on the 2900 download page at dell.com/support.

Thanks

That is a good first step - a VD must first exist before even loading drivers will see anything. 

EASIEST way to load drivers is to use nliteos.com.

HOWEVER, I would suggest not using Server 2003 at all. The evaluation period for Server 2012 R2 is 180 days and can be extended another 180 days at least once after that. Drivers are built into that OS.

Yes, but you'll probably have to change USB emulation to match.

Would a USB Floppy drive work? I have one of those if it will.

OK I'm getting really frustrated here. I downloaded a exe file from Dell and extracted it to a usb stick and plugged it into the server,  I boot to the OS disk (server 2003) press F^ to install other drivers but it says it does not find a floppy drive

OK I got it. I found the ISO to create the Dell server management boot cd and all is well now.

Thanks

You said you were going to use a USB floppy drive. That WILL work if the system's USB emulation is set properly. A USB flash drive will NOT work. 2003 doesn't know how to use them to get drivers. 2003 is a dead, ancient dinosaur.

Using an actual floppy disk and nliteos.com are by far the two easiest options, but yes, Dell has installation utilities that help with the installation process, but usually the size of the download and need to burn to disc makes it a longer process than the others.