Hi folks. It's taken me a couple of days to finally get this right on my server. Had loads of problems and whole process is very fussy. It was further complicated by lots of conflicting guides on the web suggesting lots of different methods. Well, this is the one that worked for me! Thought I'd share in case anyone else is needing to do this.
WHS 2011 InstallDone on a HP MEdiasmart Ex495 (upgraded CPU + 4GB ram) via a USB install. This one not unattended or blind (headless). Done using a display board so you can see it installing.
1. System Hard Disk prep:Take what will be your System Hard Drive. Wipe it via Windows Disk manager:
![Image](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15144043/site%20posts/mediasmartserver/WHS2011%20Setup/Screenshot%20-%2029_03_2016%20%2C%2021_46_11.png)
Don’t do anything else to it - no formatting or cleaning etc.
2. USB Stick Prep:Plug it into a PC
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Use following commands:
Type “diskpart” then:
list disk (This will list all connected drives – look for your USB drive, and note down its number – you really don’t want to get this wrong!)
select disk [your disk number]
clean
create part pri
select part 1
format fs=ntfs
active
Exit
NB. the full rather than quick format appears to work better.
3. Burn ISO to USBBurn the WHS2011 Instal iso to USB using this tool:
https://wudt.codeplex.com/4. Boot and installWith power off: Connect the Hard Drive in the bottom bay of your server. Put the usb drive in a port, but not the bottom one on the rear.
Power on + press Del repeatedly to bring up bios menu.
In Boot>Boot Device Priority - Ensure 1st device is your hard drive. Also make sure your usb key not showing.
In Boot>Hard Disk Drives - Ensure your Hard disk is “1st Drive” and us “2nd drive”
Save Changes and exit.
When reboots, press F11 repeatedly to choose the boot device. Then choose your USB device. This will commence the install.
5. Setting the Homegroup Half way through the install, when you get to here:
![Image](https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15144043/site%20posts/mediasmartserver/WHS2011%20Setup/Screenshot%20-%2029_03_2016%20%2C%2021_46_45.png)
Press Shift + F10. This will bring up command prompt. Enter:
Control system
The Change Settings in the bottom right
Computer Name>Change
Then set the Workgroup name only. Make sure it matches the homegroup name of the other machines on your network.
Navigate back to where you were. Don not restart now - choose later.
That’s it!