Adding Drivers to the Windows Server 2003 Installation

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Sometimes you will need to install Windows Server 2003 on a server with a RAID controller that does not have drivers available on the Windows Server 2003 installation disk. Typically, drivers can be put on a floppy drive, from which Windows Server 2003 can load them during install. However, new servers often do not include floppy drives. This can often be circumvented by "slipstreaming" drivers into a new installation CD, by using Dell's floppy emulation utility, or Dell's OpenManage tools. When these aren't an option, the Mass Storage Driver on CD will let you load additional drivers for Windows 2003 Server products as well as Windows XP 64-bit edition from CD during installation.

First you will need to obtain the necessary files. A zip can be obtained from Dell.

Creating a DriverDisk.ISO to burn to CD

  1. Download the drivers you need to complete the Windows installation.
  2. Extract the files from the zip file obtained from Dell or other channels.
  3. Extract or copy the driver files into the EXTRACT YOUR DRIVER HERE folder
  4. Run the GenerateDriverDisk.bat script. This will create a driverdisk.iso file.
  5. Burn the driverdisk.iso file to CD using your preferred CD-Recording software.
    • If you don't have Nero or Roxio, and you are using Windows, you can use ISO Recorder.

To start a Windows installation or enter Recovery Console using the CD

  1. Insert the driverdisk CD into your system.
  2. Boot from the CD.
  3. When SBM (Smart Boot Manager) is loaded, remove the driverdisk CD. (If you get a Boot Failed/Boot Error Press ENTER to retry. This may take up to 5 attempts.)
  4. Insert the OS installation CD.
  5. Select CD-ROM in the SBM - Boot Menu.
    • If you get an error press Enter to retry. This may take up to five attempts.
  6. Press a key to boot from CD when prompted.
  7. At this point, the Windows installer will automatically load the driver. You will not need to press F6.
  8. Follow instructions for install or recovery console.
    • If you are asked to give location for driver file during install, choose Cancel. The installation will continue without errors.
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