Windows installation fails on this hard drive - SATA SSD and standard PC
Windows installation fails on this hard drive - SATA SSD and standard PC
You're experiencing difficulties installing Windows Server 2012 R2 on your Dell Precision Workstation T3500. The system is running a modified version of the BIOS and has hardware issues that are preventing a standard installation. The error message about the SATA controller needing ATA mode suggests compatibility problems, but you've already replaced the motherboard due to a failing DIMM slot. The SSD is formatted correctly, and formatting as an MBR drive isn't the issue. Consider checking the BIOS settings for compatibility modes or consulting Dell support for further guidance.
Great setup overall. Experimented with various SATA connections—my HP workstation has SAS ports on the RST controller that aren’t bootable, while AHCI ports on the chipset are. It’s wise to test each port to confirm compatibility across different models. (Or, you could check the documentation for AHCI ports.) If nothing works, it might be a hardware issue. A BIOS reflash could help, but beyond that options are limited.
I faced an issue with my Asus X58 board. The solution came when I started with Windows 7, and later managed to install Windows 10 without upgrading.
I recently attempted to relocate the SSD to another SATA port, yet the problem persists. ATA mode functions correctly, but AHCI mode fails. All ports are standard SATA connections, and there’s no built-in SAS controller on this system. I’ve also tested Server 2008 R2 (Windows 7), which produced the same error.
Used a previous Windows 10 release? Latest updates might have issues with secure boot and UEFI GPT features.
Sure, I get that. This setup uses just the BIOS and doesn’t include Secure Boot or UEFI features. I’m about to install Windows from a DVD now. It’s confusing why it’s causing all these problems. I’ve already installed this version of Windows Server 2012 R2 before.
You mentioned server again, wondering why you got a 10 in your mind. Got it. What shifted since then? Still the same board, right? Identical revision, hardware unchanged? Tried resetting BIOS to defaults? Checked for any odd RAID settings? You can type commands in setup and use DiskPart to list drives? Have you experimented with formatting or creating a primary partition before installing? Perhaps if the system recognizes the setup files, it could proceed, or it might force a reinstall by wiping and rebuilding partitions?
It's the identical machine. I possess two units that have previously run Server 2012 R2. The only changes I've made are relocating the Xeon X5690 between systems due to failing memory slots on the first one. Yes, I've attempted to format the drives manually myself, but Windows remains unresponsive. I've tried installing all versions of Windows via USB and through a PXE server, yet the same error persists. I'm considering restarting the first motherboard again, though it no longer boots. The system becomes extremely unstable with the RAM I install, freezing whenever I attempt to start it.
It seems WS12 is likely as reliable as Windows 10. I've transferred working versions from one PC to another using different processors—Ryzen, Haswell, and Haswell again—without major issues. Setting it up, rebooting, and then it works fine. If you install on another machine and plug the drive into an X58 system, you should be able to have the essential drivers ready or download them from the driver store for quick access when needed.