Can you share details on the storage controller you have on the server? Can you also ensure a virtual disk is created on the controller. You can check this by going to controller BIOS during boot.

The set-up says the virtual disk is working and online. Not sure if it will give more information but the service tag is was edited. 

If not will boot it up when i get back

Thank you. There is absolutely nothing installed. I bought the server from ebay along with a 2tb drive. I followed a youtube video to set up the disk and that's where i got stuck. I am replacing a t105 which was killed by the repair shop (they blew it up). 2012 is currenly on a temporary pc.

Hello, grahambrown,

Thank you for choosing Dell.

Could you please check this Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 For Dell EMC PowerEdge Systems Installation Guide:

https://dell.to/3ob0fLn

Here you can additionally check Supported Microsoft Windows videos for Dell EMC PowerEdge systems:

https://dell.to/3o8mRw4

Here the link for System Requirements and Installation Information for Windows Server 2012 R2 where you could find all requirements and installation information directly from Microsoft:

https://dell.to/3o95VW7

It would be also helpful if you could share with us, which drivers are installed in server (Dell Five-Digit Part Number):

How to find  Part Numbers:

https://dell.to/3ETKQVD

This information could help us to check compatibility between server, OS and drives.

Please ask me if you have any questions.

Thank you

Maria Januszka

#IWork4Dell

Dell | Social Outreach Services - Enterprise

Hello,

Thank you for your reply. Could you please additionally check troubleshooting steps, which were described here:

https://dell.to/3AKOQW0

Thank you

Maria Januszka

#IWork4Dell

Dell | Social Outreach Services - Enterprise

You need storage drivers. For that, we need to know which controller you have. RAM drive is not necessary. Are you installing from USB?

I'm confused: you said it won't boot to the installation but then you talk of needing drivers, Command Prompt, etc. ...

Does it boot to the installation media or not?

I posted some images. Where do find the controller version please

Hi.. yes i have run through this but it still asks for drivers. Think i downloaded everything from dell and it still says no driver found

The Startup tells me I'm running perc s100 controller..

Go through F10 life cycle it then boots into the windows installer go for a cleaning store and it tells me I'm missing drivers I put the driver disk in gone through every single folder and it says drivers not found I have no idea what the installer is looking for

Hello grahambrown,

Power up and press F10 to enter the LifeCycle controller

Check under Platform Update for a list of hardware. You should see your controller listed there.

Did you create a Virtual Disk?

Maria provided several good links. Let's take this one for example:

Document for  Install Windows Server 2012 R2 by using Dell LifeCycle Controller

https://dell.to/3CWkII9

Step 5 - Configure or Skip RAID….. Did you configure your virtual disk here or did you do it in the controller BIOS during POST by pressing when the controller initializes to enter the PERC BIOS?

Installing from USB can give problems sometimes. Try an 8G or less USB.

I'd recommend burn you install media imgage as ISO to DVD and boot to DVD for install.

Hello grahambrown,

I took a look at the beginning post. Seems you are trying to restore an image. Is that correct?

You may need to get support from your backup product.

Try download a fresh install image and do a fresh clean install and see how it goes.

Again I would recommend burning it as an image to DVD and boot to the DVD.

Windows Server 2012 R2 Evaluation

https://dell.to/2XQjTBd

Thanks Charles . Changing the bios to ata started the install. It now says it cant find the microsoft licensing information. Going to research that later when i get back