PowerEdge 2600 and Windows Server 2008 R2 installation problem

Question

Hello. I've a Dell PowerEdge 2600 server. Here is the configuration: BIOS Revision: A14 2 x Intel Xeon 2800 MHz 533 MHz 512 kb (SL6VN) 4 x 1 Gb RAM 2 x 146 Gb (IBM IC35L146UCDY10-0) in RAID1 6 x 147 Gb (Fujitsu MAP3147NC) in RAID5 PERC 4/Di firmware 2.52D It worked fine when Windows Server 2000 was installed. But now I need to install Windows Server 2008 R2. Here is the problem: when I boot server from Windows Server 2008 R2 installation DVD it starting to load files and after a few minutes shows an error (I didn't copy the exact error number) which stated that it trying to execute the 64-bit application, but unfortunately this CPU doesn't support 64-bit applications. I could find a downloads for Windows 2008 x64 on Dell's Support page for PowerEdge 2600. That means that you can install a 64-bit OS on that PE 2600, isn't it? I know that Windows Server 2008 x64 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are different OSes, but 64-bits is always 64-bits. Also, I know that Intel Xeon 2800 MHz 533 MHz 512 kb (SL6VN) is a 32-bit processor, but if it was shipped with these processors and there are downloads for 64-bit OSes exists, it should be able to install these OSes. Please advise how I could install Windows Server 2008 R2 on PowerEdge 2600. Thanks beforehand.

theflash1932 · Accepted Answer

The 2008x64 listing in the OS list for the 2600 is clearly a typo/mistake by the web/support content team:

The 2600's chipset doesn't support ANY 64-bit processors
http://ark.intel.com/products/27741/Intel-E7501-Memory-Controller
No 6G systems support 64-bit OS's - not all are listed here, but the 6600 lists NO 64-bit OS's (8G was the first):
http://advisors.dell.com/AgileWeb/iDrivematrixView.aspx
2003x64 is not listed either, which would be if 64-bit were supported at all

You will have to settle for 2008x86 as the latest OS on the 2600 ... or get a newer server (starting with 8th generation servers like the PE 2800) to run 2008R2.

"2008R2 is a 64 bit operating system that is not as forgiving as 2008x64 on running 16 bit threads."

16-bit applications are not supported AT ALL in 64-bit OS's:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/chitpro-en/archive/2009/04/14/windows-and-16-bit-applications.aspx

Daniel My · Answer

Hello lbhp

I know that Windows Server 2008 x64 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are different OSes, but 64-bits is always 64-bits.

Yes, they are very different. They have different kernels and use different instructions sets. Just because they are both listed as 64 bit operating systems does not mean when one works the other should as well.

2008x64 uses both x86-32 and x86-64 instructions sets. 2008R2 uses only x86-64. While x86-64 is backwards compatible with x86-32 there are limitations to its ability to run 32 and 16 bit threads. 2008x64 is a hybrid operating system that is able to operate like a 32 bit operating system. 2008R2 is a 64 bit operating system that is not as forgiving as 2008x64 on running 16 bit threads.

Please advise how I could install Windows Server 2008 R2 on PowerEdge 2600.

2008R2 is not a supported operating system. I don't know of a way to install it.

Thanks

Daniel My · Answer

'2008R2 is a 64 bit operating system that is not as forgiving as 2008x64 on running 16 bit threads.' 16-bit applications are not supported AT ALL in 64-bit OS's:http://blogs.technet.com/b/chitpro-en/archive/2009/04/14/windows-and-16-bit-applications.aspx While 16 bit applications are not supported there is an emulation that takes place to process 32 and 16 bit threads. It is very limited, but it is functional. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd371688(v=vs.85).aspx

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