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Subject:
How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
Category: Computers Asked by: arun_p-ga List Price: $10.00 |
Posted:
21 Aug 2005 23:09 PDT
Expires: 20 Sep 2005 23:09 PDT Question ID: 558573 |
Hi guys, I have bought an Dell SC 1420 server with no installed OS in it. When i tried to install "free BSD" or "Red Hat 9.0 Server", the installation stalls asking me to only insert "MS Windows 2003 Server" or "Red Hat Linux ES 3.0". When i called the helpdesk they say the same story.When i bought this server the sales people just didn't bother to tell me this atall and now it has been 2 months since we bought it and we are unable to use it. I am unable to spend on these licensed server & CALS as well. So,i need to know how to bypass this issue or how to disable this feature of server in the BIOS and be able to install Free BSD Server or Red Hat 9.0 Server or any other free server softwares that can be supported in this server for handling 30 client pc's. Cheers! Arun. | |
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There is no answer at this time. |
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Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: landog-ga on 22 Aug 2005 05:23 PDT |
I've seen other owners running Win XP on the SC1420 - so it must be possible to install an OS other than those you mention. http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/search?submitted=true&type=message&q=SC1420+&days=-1&page_size=50 |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: arun_p-ga on 22 Aug 2005 05:32 PDT |
Hi Landog, Yes we can install any paid version of Windows / Red Hat enterprise versions. It doesn't support freeware operating systems this is where the problem is. |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: arun_p-ga on 22 Aug 2005 05:36 PDT |
Hi landog, Sorry further to what i commented, the main reason i have purchased the server is to make it an workgroup server,so i wouldn't be able to just install XP Pro or XP home. I need to install an Network operating system which is a freeware like Free BSD or Red Hat 9.0. Cheers! |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: zodiacman-ga on 22 Aug 2005 13:46 PDT |
Dear sir, I have installed Redhat about 8 times. Here is the procedure I have used. Maybe it will help. First, try to locate a copy of RedHat that is more recent than the computer hardware. For example, you can download a free copy of Fedora type Redhat, which includes Server, WorkStation, and Laptop levels, from www.fedora.com. Fedora is the non-Enterprise variety (read "non-commercial") of Redhat. The last time I checked they were up to Fedora Core 3. You can also locate Fedora Radhat Training Books in some bookstores, and they come with Fedora CD in the back. If your hardware is more recent than the Redhat you have, then some of the drivers that you need for your system may be missing when you do the install. Second, check the system BIOS. 1) set the Boot Disk priority so system will boot first from local CD-Rom. 2) If it has it, set the OS-Type setting to Non-Dos/Non-Windows, since your are installing Redhat. Third, pop open the CD-Rom, and load the RedHat Install Disk 1. Close CD. Fourth, now power OFF the server, wait a minute, then power back up. If the system is behaving normally, the server should try to boot first from the CD, which would start the RedHat Install Widget running. It should bring up a text-based screen, with a prompt, and list some command line options that you can type in & execute at the prompt. The instructions are usually pretty clear. Once you start the Redhat Install Widget, it walks you through, step by step, and its pretty self explanatory. The two most complicated parts, in my opinion, are designing your disk partitions, and setting up the X-Windows interface. When you get to this point, try acepting the system default settings. If the Display/Monitor/X-Window settings are not compatible with your hardware, then X-Windows will not launch, and you will have to go back and tweak those settings. If you cannot get the system to boot from the CD rom, check the system documentation that comes on the CD, to see if you need to make a Linux Boot floppy. Then perhaps you can boot the redhat install widget from the floppy drive and still so the install from CD. ... hope this helps.....:) |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: arun_p-ga on 22 Aug 2005 17:31 PDT |
Hi ZodiacMan, Thanks for your detailed explanation of installng Red Hat Linux. See the actual problem is that my server BIOS has been programmed by DELL such that it will only allow either MS Windows 2003 server or Red Hat ES 3.0 & above. This was confirmed by the tech support team of DELL as well. The problem is to disable this feature and being able to install this other FREE O/s. Pls look into my query in this angle. Regards, Arun. |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: godfirnon-ga on 24 Aug 2005 00:27 PDT |
I know it's not FreeBSD, but have you tried installing CentOS (centos.org) it's a free (beer/speech) operating system, built on the gpl code of RHEL. If it works, then at least you have a Free Unix like OS on the computer. Also, perhpas you could remove the hard drive, use another computer to install a base system onto the hard drive, then swap the drive back into the sc 1420. Perhaps if the image is on the drive, the bios will be fooled? Just some thoughts off the top of my head |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: arun_p-ga on 26 Aug 2005 01:00 PDT |
Hi Godfirnon, Thanks for your comment,but to remove the HDD from this server is an herculan task there are too many warranty stickers even for the screws. I am afraid if i open them and my 3 year warranty will be off the window.. So, pls advise any other software based option wherein i can fool the server's BIOS. Regards, Arun |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: corwin_02-ga on 02 Sep 2005 04:27 PDT |
The one thing I can think off is install a generic Linux installation on a machine (with generic I mean as plain vanilla as possible), rip an image to a CD by means of for example norton ghost or any other tool and spool that image onto your Dell, do a quick prayer and see if it will boot An other possibility is get Unbuntu and see if it will boot from the CD , if so can then install it |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: tomclegg-ga on 10 Nov 2005 18:02 PST |
I suggest calling Dell to confirm that you can swap the hard disks without affecting your warranty. If they say you can't, remind them that servers don't normally last 3 years without RAM or hard disk upgrades! Install FreeBSD on another disk (not the factory Dell one), put it in your server, and see if it works. If it doesn't work, at least you haven't clobbered your Dell disk. If you have SCSI, you might be able to boot from an external SCSI disk without opening the case. This whole scheme is rather unseemly, isn't it? |
Subject:
Re: How to install Free BSD in Dell SC 1420 Server.
From: flummoxed-ga on 09 Dec 2005 21:57 PST |
Dell BIOS does not prevent OSs from being installed. Shame on tech support for telling you this. What does prevent you from installing "non-supported" OS is the installation CD that comes with the server (aka "Dell Server Assistant"). If you do a manual installation of the OS and specify driver disks (initially you should only need the SATA or SCSI drivers depending on your config), you will be able to install any OS that you please. |
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