Hi guys,

I have been trying to install the WHS 2011 in my EX470 during the last 3 weeks without any success. I have been reading hundred of posts and guides, troubleshooting and praying without any luck. I would really appreciate some help.

That's what I did:
1. Removed all HD from the server keeping only the target one.
2. Removed all the partitions from the target HD, which is 160 Gb.
3. Copied the installation DVD to a USB stick.
4. Added the following cfg.ini to the USB stick root (also tried with WindowsPartitionSize=Max):
[WinPE]
InstallSKU=SERVERHOMEPREMIUM
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
WindowsPartitionSize=61440

[InitialConfiguration]
AcceptEula=true
ServerName=VAILSERVER
PlainTextPassword=Passw0rd
PasswordHint=some password hint
Settings=All
5. Attached a USB keyboard to the serer.
6. Restarted quickly pressed F12, then seven times down and enter to select USB-CD boot.
7. Waited during hours and hours.

The USB light keeps blinking for a while and then stops. Then after waiting some hours:
- The HD is partitioned (3 partitions; 60 Gb, 100Mb and the other one with the remaining capacity)
- The contents of the partitions are empty.
- The server ir not restarted automatically.
- The server does not get an IP (the DHCP table of my router does not show it).

I assume the process fails after partitioning the disks but I cannot know where.

And the constrains:
- Getting a VGA cable might not be worth (I live in Europe and shipping costs are not quite cheap).
- I have a PC with is 32-bits so I does not let me install it in an external HD.
- I have a Mac without eSata port, so when I attach the disk using an external USB case it is not listed in the available disks for installation (it seems only works with SATA/eSATA and internal disks).

Anything else worth trying?

Thanks.

I managed to get an unattended install going on my EX475, here's my cfg.ini:

[WinPE]
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
WindowsPartitionSize=MAX

[InitialConfiguration]
Language=en-US
Locale=en-US
Country=US
Keyboard=00000409
AcceptEula=true
AcceptOEMEula=true
ServerName=STORAGE2
PlainTextPassword=something
PasswordHint=Unix
Settings=All

Thanks. I'm trying with your cfg.ini to see if there's any better luck.

One question: Did you make your USB stick bootable?

http://sbs.seandaniel.com/2009/10/how-t ... table.html

Finally got it working (after 3 weeks!!!) with the following cfg.ini:


[WinPE]
InstallSKU=SERVERHOMEPREMIUM
ConfigDisk=1
CheckReqs=0
SystemPartitionSize=60
Processed=true
[InitialConfiguration]
Language=en-US
Locale=0409
Country=US
KeyboardLayout=00000409
AcceptEula=true
ServerName=VailPremServer
PlainTextPassword=Head13$$
PasswordHint=See ServeTheHome.com
Settings=All


Thanks!