Setup a R320 with 4 independent disks (no-RAID)

Question

I don't see any disks when I use the Dell install util, I am told to initialize them, would someone be so kind? I've never setup a non RAID'ed server with 4 independent disks, I assume this is a BIOS setting, could someone steer me in the right direction please? Thanks in advance

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

I don't have a R320, but the process doesn't really change from one system to another and one configuration to another, and it really shouldn't be this difficult:

- Are you using a "standard" 2008 R2 retail, MSDN, or Dell installation disc with no unattend file?
- When loading the driver, did you downloaded the file, run to extract the contents, then put those four files on USB/CD/etc.?
- Is Integrated RAID Controller (under Integrated Devices) enabled in the BIOS Setup (F2)? The H310 card is considered "integrated" since it has a dedicated slot for its use (SATA Settings can be ATA or AHCI and shouldn't matter at all if installing the OS from a USB key, as it would only affect the optical drive).
- Do you SEE the drives listed in the CTRL-R utility for the PERC during POST?
- Are these disks originals from Dell? What size? If not original, what make/model? Previously used? If so, in what?

theflash1932 · Answer

Are they connected to a controller or the motherboard?  If a controller, which one?  In most cases, you simply leave them unconfigured - some controllers do NOT do non-RAID.  What OS?

theflash1932 · Answer

Are you skipping the RAID/disk config portion of the Dell installation utility?  You may need to install directly from the OS media - not sure if SBUU can handle non-RAID.

JDK-R13 · Answer

OS will be Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, this is a PERC H300 controller, I tried installing strait from the media and didn't see any disks either, that was before turning off RAID in the bios though. I have left the RAID setup un-configured in the Dell build util.

JDK-R13 · Answer

Currently RAID controller is not enabled and I have the disks set to AHCI

theflash1932 · Answer

Assuming you mean an H310 controller (since there is no H300):

If installing directly from the media, you will need these drivers (hard drive version - run to extract before use):

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/poweredge-r320?driverId=M20VR&osCode=WS8R2&fileId=3160710291&languageCode=en&categoryId=SF

The H310 controller is a card, so you won't see and you can't manage the drives in the BIOS Setup (F2). You will simply leave the drives unconfigured in the CTRL-R utility (during POST) and skip RAID configuration with SBUU (like I said, I'm not sure if SBUU will like them not being configured when you skip it).

JDK-R13 · Answer

Your assumption is correct, sorry for the typo, H310.

I'll try these drivers and post back if this was my solution, thanks for a speedy response Dell community! (it will be tomorrow before I can follow up)

JDK-R13 · Answer

Good morning!

Here's what happens when i get to the windows loading screen to select the drivers - they aren't listed unless I uncheck the box to hide drivers that are not compatible with the hardware - once that box is unchecked it lists all the Perc drivers... all the models point to percsas2.inf, once I select it it doesn't list any drives and wants me to load a driver still.... any ideas on what i'm messing up?

theflash1932 · Answer

Try an older version (hard drive version, extracted before use):

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriverDetails/Product/poweredge-r320?driverId=J3J13&fileId=3160710291&osCode=WS8R2

Otherwise, I can't think of any reason for this to happen.

JDK-R13 · Answer

No drivers found. Click load drivers to provide a mass storage driver for installation...

I feel like I've not properly prepaired this - at least I hope its something I've done and I don't have bad hardware.

Any other ideas ladies and gentlemen?

theflash1932 · Answer

The PERC H310 in the R320 is integrated, but it is also the "mini" version:
http://partnerdirect.dell.com/sites/channel/Documents/PowerEdge-Rack-Server-R320-Technical-Guide-May2012.pdf

The H310 supports non-RAID, but the "integrated" card must be enabled.

Glad you got it sorted out.

JDK-R13 · Answer

In my second post I mentioned that the RAID controller was disabled (not using RAID, I thought disabling it would be choice), once I re-enbaled it as your second bullet suggested, I went back to the newer of the two drivers (the first one you linked me too) on my jump drive and Windows saw my drives and is now installing, funny though it only recognized the PERC H310 'Mini' driver and not the 'intergrated' controller which is what I have in this system... at any rate going back and enabling RAID in the BIOS was what corrected this issue and allowed me to begin OS install.

Flash, please pass Go and collect 200 dollars.

Mary Rose de Vega · Answer

change the legacy boot to UEFI  I will try to conduct a raid

PowerEdge HDD/SCSI/RAID

Setup a R320 with 4 independent disks (no-RAID)

Was this post helpful?