Cannot boot Windows server 2003


Recommended Posts

I use to have XP SP1 on my old machine, I thought id put Windows Server 2003 onto it and link it up to my new computer. I wiped the hard drive using Drive Scrubber. Then I inserted the Windows server 2003 SP1 disk into the drive and select boot from CD-ROM in the bios settings. It begins pre-installation and for some weird reason XP SP2 Boot screen appears, after that it goes into the Windows Server set up, command prompt opens and "Factory-PE.exe" runs. Then command prompt remains open and nothing happens. Please not this is a OEM CD :(

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/451954-cannot-boot-windows-server-2003/
Share on other sites

  bobbba said:

Why not just go back to XP?

I dont have clue how to reformat the drive. When it stays on Command Prompt it says:

"X:\I386\system32>factory -winpe"

"X:\I386\system32>"

The reason I wanted Windows Server onto it was just to mess around since I am hoping to get a job in IT later in life. :o

Get through to the partitioning stage of Win 2003 setup cd-rom. Select the partition you want to install to and press d. Follow the instructions until you have got rid of the partition and got "Unallocated Space". Select the large amount of allocated space and press enter, then choose NTFS Quick. hopefully it will then work

  simsie said:

Get through to the partitioning stage of Win 2003 setup cd-rom. Select the partition you want to install to and press d. Follow the instructions until you have got rid of the partition and got "Unallocated Space". Select the large amount of allocated space and press enter, then choose NTFS Quick. hopefully it will then work

The installation doesnt get that far. Here is the order and what happens:

1. Bios boots

2. Press any key to boot from CD-ROM

3. Pre-installation of Windows environment

4. XP Boot screen

5. Command prompt opens

6. "X:\I386\system32>factory -winpe" automatically runs

6. Factory -winpe finishes and command prompt remains open

7. "X:\I386\system32>" stays on the command prompt

That is all what happens.

where did you get this CD? Is it some kind of trial CD? Are you sure there is not another CD in your machine in another CD/DVD drive?

I can tell you this - No 2k3 server CD from MS boots with "Factory -winpe" anything..

Either your not booting what you think your booting.. ie some other CD or some kind of recovery partition on the hard drive.. Or that is not a CD from MS.

  Viper101 said:

The installation doesnt get that far. Here is the order and what happens:

1. Bios boots

2. Press any key to boot from CD-ROM

3. Pre-installation of Windows environment

4. XP Boot screen

5. Command prompt opens

6. "X:\I386\system32>factory -winpe" automatically runs

6. Factory -winpe finishes and command prompt remains open

7. "X:\I386\system32>" stays on the command prompt

That is all what happens.

it sounds like you have an OEM version of Windows 2003.

OEM companies add stuff to the Windows CDs to better fit their needs and their customers needs.

sounds like this OEM CD that you have is using other parameters and scripts that the OEM company has put in place. These scripts and parameters are designed for specific hardware. If you are not using the original OEM computer/server with this OEM CD, then it will most likely fail.

At my organization, I have created an "OEM" windows xp dvd that is designed to work only with our hardware.

OEM Companies (like Dell, IBM, etc), use their own OEM CDs (even for Windows 2003 server) that work with certain hardware configurations. The CDs look official but are designed only for their computer systems.

hope this isnt too confusing.

  metalguy90 said:

it sounds like you have an OEM version of Windows 2003.

OEM companies add stuff to the Windows CDs to better fit their needs and their customers needs.

sounds like this OEM CD that you have is using other parameters and scripts that the OEM company has put in place. These scripts and parameters are designed for specific hardware. If you are not using the original OEM computer/server with this OEM CD, then it will most likely fail.

At my organization, I have created an "OEM" windows xp dvd that is designed to work only with our hardware.

OEM Companies (like Dell, IBM, etc), use their own OEM CDs (even for Windows 2003 server) that work with certain hardware configurations. The CDs look official but are designed only for their computer systems.

hope this isnt too confusing.

Thanks for making it a lot clearer. It is a OEM disk. Came in a seal Microsoft box with security seals.

It worked fine on VMWare. Ive digged out an old 98 recovery disk and restored the Boot record and partition table. Im going try to format the hard drive and see if that makes any different.

Cheers

  Viper101 said:

Thanks for making it a lot clearer. It is a OEM disk. Came in a seal Microsoft box with security seals.

that sounds odd?

most OEMs CDs dont have much Microsoft branding on it, but their own.

ie. Dell would make the OEM CD look like a Dell CD.

the last company i worked for bought Dell servers and all their disks were blue & white.

the company i work for now uses IBM servers, and their disks are white & black; even though both OEM CDs are Microsoft Windows 2003 server, they both looked like IBM or Dell CDs

hmmm reading your post after mine reminded me of a problem i once had installing server 2003 on a client machine. If the 2003 is booting ok but its not loading the files or appears to be stuck it indicates a hardware problem. In my case i solved it by replacing the cd drive and the PATA cable but it also could be due to faulty ram. Download microsoft memory tester from another pc and save it to floppy and run the floppy disk. If the ram is fine then more than likely its the cd drive or the hard drive. You just have to elimante each component until you find the problem. :) also as mentioned already it could be because its an oem cd. Try downloading the 120 day trial from Microsoft and burn it to a cd and see if that installs.

  andy2004 said:

hmmm reading your post after mine reminded me of a problem i once had installing server 2003 on a client machine. If the 2003 is booting ok but its not loading the files or appears to be stuck it indicates a hardware problem. In my case i solved it by replacing the cd drive and the PATA cable but it also could be due to faulty ram. Download microsoft memory tester from another pc and save it to floppy and run the floppy disk. If the ram is fine then more than likely its the cd drive or the hard drive. You just have to elimante each component until you find the problem. :) also as mentioned already it could be because its an oem cd. Try downloading the 120 day trial from Microsoft and burn it to a cd and see if that installs.

I downloaded the trial version of Windows Server 2003. I burned it onto a CD-ROM, inserted it into the CD-ROM drive and error messege occured "Invalid System Disk". I dont think that RAM is damaged as XP was working fine before. The only thing I can think of is the Hard drive. I think im going buy a 80GB hard drive, to see if that will work. Il let you know how it goes.

Cheers

  Viper101 said:

I brought a new 80GB Hard drive, fitted it and tried installing Server 2003, however still no luck. This is just one big headache! :blink:

Yeah cuz installing a OS is just so hard.. How does a CD not booting point you to a hard drive issue? The CDrom could boot without a Hard Drive in the system..

When you say you burned the trial download to a CD? I'm guessing you have a CD with trial2003.iso on it - and can not figure out why id doesn't boot ;)

If you can not figure out how to burn a ISO.. have them send you a trial..

  • 2 weeks later...

:cool:

He's not using a real Microsoft WIN 2003 disk. I've installed many OS's and W2K3 never acts like that...

I've heard of some of these "so-called good deal" disks and most simply do not work...

Recommend he get his money back...if he can!

Ozz~ :alien:

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I just teams to stop stealing the damn focus every time it starts or restarts after an update. Annoying as all hell.
    • Obviously new hardware costs more money. Never said you get new 2025 hardware for $266. You get new 2025 hardware for as little as $399 and only gets better with back to school sales. At the $499-699, there's some decent spec laptops with 16 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD with better build quality than this lowest end ideapad.
    • FxSound 1.1.34 Beta by Razvan Serea FxSound (formerly DFX Audio Enhancer / FxSound Enhancer) is now free, making high-quality audio enhancement accessible to everyone. Designed for all PC sound systems, from average setups to audiophile-grade equipment, it offers automatic or fully customizable processing. As automatic or customizable as you want, it utilizes the highest-grade processing to deliver more volume, better equalization, and a wider, deeper sound. For the serious audiophiles, FxSound gives you the tools to adjust the FxSound Effects and EQ to your exact preferences. Turn FxSound on and immediately hear the difference in sound quality. FxSound is ideal for budget audiophiles, music lovers, gamers, transcriptionists, Netflix enthusiasts, and more. It’s particularly beneficial for those relying on quiet laptop speakers or low-quality audio hardware. As a free tool, FxSound excels in boosting volume, enhancing bass, and improving sound quality. No other free EQ for Windows matches its ease of use. FxSound Is Now Completely Free and Unrestricted FxSound Pro is now free for everyone, not just those who can afford it. Get free and unrestricted access to better sound today. FxSound is now entirely supported by users. Click here to donate to help fund continued development and improvements to FxSound. FxSound 1.1.34 Beta changelog: System tray context menu width is fixed and device names are adjusted to width Prompt to save the preset in a new name if changes are made and new preset is selected If preferred device is not connected then it is disabled and greyed out from selection until connected again Application crash dump is saved on unhandled exceptions Download: FxSound 1.1.34 Beta | ARM64 | ~70.0 MB (Open Source) View: FxSound Home Page | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • Can you get a brand new (not refurb) device like this, but with 2025 hardware, for $266? Under $300? No? If you can, it must have the worst specs otherwise (4gb ram, 1366x768 12in lcd screen, 256gb spinning hard drive, etc.). Please show me this sub-$300 2025 laptop that is better than what the article shows.
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      TsunadeMama earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      shaheen earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Dedicated
      Cole Multipass earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • Week One Done
      Alexander 001 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      icecreamconesleeves earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      569
    2. 2
      +FloatingFatMan
      187
    3. 3
      ATLien_0
      187
    4. 4
      Skyfrog
      113
    5. 5
      Som
      109
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!