Upgrading W2K3 32bit to 64bit

The "Dell build DVD" will not give you the option to do other than a full, clean install.  If you are trying to preserve existing data, you will have to install from the Windows disk.  Windows 2003/XP and earlier will ONLY recognize a floppy.  If you do not have a floppy drive and want to use a USB key, you can, but you have to use a special utility to prepare the USB key with the drivers.  Follow the directions exactly (if you get an error formatting the USB key, delete the Volume Label.)

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=08&l=en&s=bsdr&releaseid=R237984&SystemID=PWE_2950&servicetag=&os=WNET&osl=en&deviceid=13724&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=3&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=7&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=342467

Alternatively, call Dell and ask for the Mass Storage CD utility - you will boot to this CD, which will load the drivers, then boot from there to the Windows CD.  You can also use nLiteOS.com to integrate the driver into the installation files to create a new OS CD.

The Mass Storage CD is not available on the support site and I don't have it with me right now.  I can give you a link to it this afternoon if you haven't got it from Dell yet.

Thank you very much! I was trying to find that USB utility but couldn't find it anywhere. I'll check this all out.

Instructions: http://prowiki.isc.upenn.edu/wiki/Adding_Drivers_to_the_Windows_Server_2003_Installation File: http://63.228.240.4/Dell/GenerateDriverDiskISOv12.zip

Thank you! I tried adding drivers using nLite but it doesn't seem like it's working. I'll try this method.

Just wanted to let you-all know that your suggestion worked like a champ! I got the system booted and started the install process.

But there's a catch. When the system build DVD gets to the point where it asks for the OS CD, when I put the OS CD in, it just spits it back out. At first I thought it was problem w/the CD so I remade it. Still a problem. Tried it w/both Standard & Enterprise 64bit W2K3 server R2. Even tried the 32bit CDs w/the same result.

Is it looking for a CD named a certain way?

Thanks for your help!

A couple of possibilities:  1)  You are using Volume License media (not MSDN) - sometimes the disc is unrecognizable to SBUU - something to do with the way MS formats it.  2)  The media does not match the OS you chose to install - 2003 is not the same as 2003 SBS, for example.  3)  You are attempting to install a non-SP2 version of Server 2003 - it must have SP2 to work with SBUU.

I'm not sure if that would make a difference - if the EXE is assembling the same format of disk image, then it will probably be the same. 

I don't think SBUU looks for a specific name, but I think it looks for specific files or versions of files that it will need to use for the install, and if they don't match what it needs, then it spits it out.

How can I find out what SBUU is looking for? Dell Support?

Your best bet would be the OMSA group at Dell ... they support the Openmanage applications, but I don't know if they will know the software that intimately.

This should be working fine, I've used the VL media many times with SBUU, but I havnt tried it with OM 6.2 version of SBUU. Which VL iso did you dnload? I'll see if i can grab the same one and try it with the latest SBUU.

Thanks! I appreciate you testing this. Here's the name of the iso I downloaded:

SW_CD_Windows_Svr_Ent_2003_R2_32-BIT_X64_English_ISO_x64_1_MLF_X13-73731.ISO

When you burn it, it has the volume name of: CRMEXVOL_EN

well, bad news, the iso I have access to is on MSDN, and I was able to dnload that and install it using OM 6.2 disc. I'm trying to see if I can get hold of the iso you named on your posting, but it may not be possible for me.
This is the iso I was able to grab from msdn: en_win_srv_2003_r2_enterprise_x64_with_sp2_vl_cd1_x13-48614.iso

So a couple of other questions in the meantime: Does this OS disc work ok if you boot to it directly? It should, w2k3 r2 has native support for the perc 4 series. As was previously posted, MS had issues with how the iso was created.

Which software are you using to burn the iso?

 Most importantly, do  you get to the part of the windows setup (when booting to windows disc) where it says (in text mode) welcome to windows setup >to setup windows now press enter >repair windows installation press R>to quit setup press ESC?

I dont suppose you have a DRAC 5 card in the system do you?

No, no DRAC 5 card. Yes, the CD will boot and start the install process however it didn't find the perc 4 drivers. You say that's built into the W2K3 install disk? Strange that it couldn't find it on mine. The only thing unusual I did was to burn the iso on a Mac. I've done that for WinXP CDs w/o problem but maybe... I'll try re-burning the CD on a PC using Nero v7.