The OS loader and the boot partition must reside on a GPT disk. Other hard
disks in the system may be either MBR or GPT.
4.3.2 Preparing to install
Before you install Windows 2003 Server it is important that all hardware and
software is prepared properly to ensure a smooth and trouble-free installation.
Perform the following tasks before you begin the installation:
1. Before powering on the server, verify that the hardware is configured properly,
including:
– All hardware options are installed.
– All cables are attached and secured to the correct ports.
– Optional RXE-100 Expansion Enclosure is connected.
– All EXP storage expansion units are connected.
– All FAStT storage expansion units are connected.
2. Ensure that firmware levels of the following devices have been updated to the
latest levels:
– System EFI/SAL
– Diagnostics
– Remote Supervisor Adapter
– RXE-100; refer to "Remote Supervisor Adapter firmware update" on
page 116
– ServeRAID adapter; refer to "ServeRAID configuration CD" on page 110
– Fibre Channel host bus adapters
3. Ensure that you have all the required OS drivers, including those for:
– Broadcom Ethernet controllers
– Active PCI
– Remote Supervisor Adapter
– ServeRAID adapter
– Fibre host bus adapter
These can be downloaded from the x455 driver page:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/MIGR-53575.html
4. Optionally configure the two internal disks in a RAID-1 array. See "Configuring
SCSI controller and internal disks" on page 105.
5. Optionally, delete all existing partitions (including the system partition and
Microsoft Reserved partition) using the diskpart command, as described in
"Checking a disk" on page 100.
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