Onboard IDE controller use

The Dell PE1800 has an onboard IDE controller that the CD drive connects to.

 

We need, in order to test a scenario for a customer, to temporarily install and run a server OS from an IDE hard drive. Having disconnected the PERC controller we booted the server and ran the OS installation CD, which finds the hard drive (which is also detected by the BIOS), formats the drive and copies the files to it. When it then reboots (it's MS Svr 2k3) it doesn't see the IDE drive as a boot device, so the install stops.

 

If we disconnect all possible boot devices, including the CD drive, and just leave the IDE drive it still doesn't see it as a boot device, despite it being recognised by the BIOS.

 

The system setup refers to an IDE controller. However, the admin guide for the server refers to an 'IDE CD-ROM controller'.

 

Does anyone know if it is possible to do want we are trying?

 

Thanks in advance