I'm sure its something ridiculously simple that I'm doing wrong but wanted to double check. I've tried multiple computers and from what I remember.. something isnt running. (duh, right)

I'm trying to restore the OS back to the server. I have a debug VGA cable (just the vga not the one with kb). I launched the restore executable. pushed the button on the front of the server and wait for the please wait message to step through and ask me what i want to do. It doesnt do anything. I'm watching the PXE boot loop over and over and It doesnt do anything. If i remember correctly though, doesnt a TFTP server app launch on my client PC? I've tried with firewall on, off, forward the ports, run the exe as admin, in compatibility mode.. NILL (win 10). I tried it plugged directly in the machine, through a switch.. NILL. Tried on a laptop (windows 7) nothing. when i first got this particular server I remember running the restore cd on my windows 10 box and it ran just fine. I do remember the TFTP app launching.

Am I Missing something?

I'm rather torn on this box. I can get 2k8 2012 and even 2014 to run on it just fine but I want the LED's to run. (I've been playing with several OS's) My theory was to install the WHS OS and maybe upgrade it to 2k8 but as soon as i attempt it it hates me.. :-/

Edit: ex485, dual core mod, 2 gig, 160 gig drive

-Justin

_________________
EX470- Server 2008,4GB,2.5TB-Virtualbox Server,Web Host backups
EX485- Server 2008,4GB,4.5TB-Media/Document host, Backups
Buffalo Linkstation II-4TB-Offsite Shadow Backups
PPC Mac Mini-Debian-1GB,80GB-Web/Email/DB
Intel Mac Mini-Debian- 4GB,500GB-Sandbox

First it is recommended to do it with the server direct connected to the pc, bypassing any switches,routers or hubs.
Another hint is to use a 32bit say xp pc for the cd.
Also you may need to start the pc in safe mode with networking enabled.
And last if the system drive or pool drives have issues they need to be corrected or replaced before the attempt.

_________________
VGA/PS2 Keyboard/PS2 Mouse/Serial debug board
Popcorn C-200
Popcorn A-200
Dune HD Connect
Rasberry PI OSMC(KODI)
ReadyNAS RN316
Amazon FireStick
Amazon ECHO
AnyDvD
MyMovies

I'll try the safe mode method. I did try direct ethernet to the machine with 2 different PC's without any success. I only have just one drive in the MSS with an empty partition table - though, i doubt that makes a difference because its not booting into the PXE server. any idea on the TFTP? or am i just crazy?

I'm tempted to just say the heck with it and stay with the stander whs.. since 2k8 doesnt offer too much more.. and i lose the leds


-Justin

_________________
EX470- Server 2008,4GB,2.5TB-Virtualbox Server,Web Host backups
EX485- Server 2008,4GB,4.5TB-Media/Document host, Backups
Buffalo Linkstation II-4TB-Offsite Shadow Backups
PPC Mac Mini-Debian-1GB,80GB-Web/Email/DB
Intel Mac Mini-Debian- 4GB,500GB-Sandbox

Tried safe mode directly connected did not boot..
-Justin

_________________
EX470- Server 2008,4GB,2.5TB-Virtualbox Server,Web Host backups
EX485- Server 2008,4GB,4.5TB-Media/Document host, Backups
Buffalo Linkstation II-4TB-Offsite Shadow Backups
PPC Mac Mini-Debian-1GB,80GB-Web/Email/DB
Intel Mac Mini-Debian- 4GB,500GB-Sandbox

Well I guess the first question is what mss and os are you attempting.
Second question restore or recovery and why.
It could simply be the os drive is hosed.
There are tricks to force a recovery/reset.
Like pull the os drive and wait for the mss to enter recovery.
But if you boot and press the paperclip button and nothing.
Like red flashing led or violet led, then I suspect that the drive is defective.

Or you may need to wipe the drive with diskpart connected to a pc and place it back in the server.
Since it sounds like you are playing with multiple os systems.

_________________
VGA/PS2 Keyboard/PS2 Mouse/Serial debug board
Popcorn C-200
Popcorn A-200
Dune HD Connect
Rasberry PI OSMC(KODI)
ReadyNAS RN316
Amazon FireStick
Amazon ECHO
AnyDvD
MyMovies

I will second with "Ruben Rocha" and add a couple thoughts.
1. I would try a Known good harddrive that has been formatted non-GPT and any partitions deleted.
2. I'm assuming you are using the correct server recovery CD?

This is the way I have finally gotten a success every time.
1. I copy the contents of the server recovery cd to a win xp laptop with the wifi nic disabled.
2. I direct connect the server to the laptop which has no anti-virus and firewall turned off (safemode with networking would do the same thing).
3. Run the setup.exe in the folder I copied the cd contents to and follow the instructions.

1. Turn the server on and wait for the Red/blue - Red/Blue - Red/Blue then press and release the tiny button in the tiny hole on the front which should get it into recovery mode, the lights will change color slightly.
Follow instructions and yes the Tftp should fire up, I maximize it so I can see if it made contact with the server.

After it is all loaded and reboots and is Pulsing. I shut the server off and attach it to the network to finish the recovery and so it can grab all the updates.

Good luck Let us know how far you are getting and any errors that might be coming up.

_________________
[X510 CPU/RAM/All 2 TB Red's] [X510 CPU/Sync'ed Backup/All 2 TB Hitachi's]
[X510 /2 in box]
[X710 LIAN LI DIY W2016E] Stablebit Drivepool [EX-503 LIAN LI 5-bay USB3 External]
Fear the Cloud

The drive is good. I re-wiped it and loaded 2008 back on it and it is running at the moment. I did run different drives and got the same error.
I have done the server recovery before successfully (and not that long ago too). Before i have done it with and without an OS already loaded to the drive - just fine.

I am using the server recovery disk. Load it into a machine and it loads the executable. turn off the mss, have just the one drive loaded into the bottom bay and turn it on. push the pinhole when the health indicator flashes blue/red. (also watching the monitor, it loads the PXE boot) on the PC, next, next and it searches for the server. Nill. I've tried directly connecting to it, firewall off, run as administrator multiple machines.. nothing. The machine I am doing the loading from is windows 10, and I have loaded the OS from this PC before - again, very recently.

TFTp doesnt load up. i check the task bar and nothing. I'll throw up screen shots when i get home to show what i'm doing. though, at the moment, i think i'll just stick with 2008 and be done with it.


-Justin

_________________
EX470- Server 2008,4GB,2.5TB-Virtualbox Server,Web Host backups
EX485- Server 2008,4GB,4.5TB-Media/Document host, Backups
Buffalo Linkstation II-4TB-Offsite Shadow Backups
PPC Mac Mini-Debian-1GB,80GB-Web/Email/DB
Intel Mac Mini-Debian- 4GB,500GB-Sandbox

Don't know what else you could do. I do know the EX480 were a little different then the rest and all the server can be a pain to recover sometimes.
If you can get Smart on that 2008 so you can keep track of the drives, you will be better off down the road anyway. Server 2003 is getting pretty long in the tooth, lights or no lights.

One last thought,
I think you said you had a video cable on that server? Did you install the jumper that opens up the Bios?
The reason I ask is somewhere I seem to remember if you had the jumper on, you can not do a whs v1 recovery. If you take the jumper off you could.
I could be all wet, it has been a long time ago and I have seen the EX480's have more then their share of quirks.

Goodluck Let us know how it goes or if anything changes.

_________________
[X510 CPU/RAM/All 2 TB Red's] [X510 CPU/Sync'ed Backup/All 2 TB Hitachi's]
[X510 /2 in box]
[X710 LIAN LI DIY W2016E] Stablebit Drivepool [EX-503 LIAN LI 5-bay USB3 External]
Fear the Cloud

I do have a Home-made VGA adapter i originally made for my 470. It works on both machines. I did think about that and tried booting with and without the cable. also. the jumper is off of the board. though, it didnt let me into the bios either way :-/

I think I'm just going to stick with 2008. I already have it running and, for the moment it is acting stable. I do have a SMART utility running so i can keep an eye on the drives. (160-OS, 1Tb document, 1TB, Media, 2Tb - shadow copy.)

Now, if i can just figure out why the server doesnt like my new stick of 4 gig i just bought for it. the 470 oddly enough likes the pc6400.... the 480, not so much

-Justin

_________________
EX470- Server 2008,4GB,2.5TB-Virtualbox Server,Web Host backups
EX485- Server 2008,4GB,4.5TB-Media/Document host, Backups
Buffalo Linkstation II-4TB-Offsite Shadow Backups
PPC Mac Mini-Debian-1GB,80GB-Web/Email/DB
Intel Mac Mini-Debian- 4GB,500GB-Sandbox

I guess you do know the leds have driver issues outside of whsv1.
So win 2008 may not work perfect

_________________
VGA/PS2 Keyboard/PS2 Mouse/Serial debug board
Popcorn C-200
Popcorn A-200
Dune HD Connect
Rasberry PI OSMC(KODI)
ReadyNAS RN316
Amazon FireStick
Amazon ECHO
AnyDvD
MyMovies

Yea. my 470 has been running 2008 for a while now and I'm already used to it not working. With this box i kinda wanted it to work but oh well. thanks anyway guys!

-Justin

_________________
EX470- Server 2008,4GB,2.5TB-Virtualbox Server,Web Host backups
EX485- Server 2008,4GB,4.5TB-Media/Document host, Backups
Buffalo Linkstation II-4TB-Offsite Shadow Backups
PPC Mac Mini-Debian-1GB,80GB-Web/Email/DB
Intel Mac Mini-Debian- 4GB,500GB-Sandbox