Networks

Ask something
Question Locked

My server (Win03) will not accept a CD.

0 helpful
19 replies

by ptpkhyh99

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
x

19 replies

by oh smeg

What is the server made of?

That is probably the most important thing here as this is not so much a Software Issue as a Hardware Issue. So look at the M'Board, CPU and so on as the possible culprits involved here.

You can do a full Diagnostic with the Ultimate Boot CD to test the hardware but depending on what the M'Board actually is there may be issues there as to what works with it.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

Col

by ptpkhyh99

The biggest problem is that I cannot use my CD drive. Not existing drive - can't use any CD drive!! Spare drives do not work either. See original message. MSI board.

by ic-it

you may be able to boot with the diagnostic CD.

If it is purley hardware then it likely wont work.
Have you removed and reseated the drives cables? tried a different power rail, tried a new cable?
Verified detection in BIOS? Etc.

by oh smeg

You would have seen that there is a Thumb Drive Version available.

But more importantly where is the list of the Hardware being used?

You know Unimportant things like the M'Board Make/Model and so on.

Even just posting the components used would be a very easy way to identify any Suspect Parts. ;)

Col

by ptpkhyh99

The original CD/DVD writer quit after 3 years. Not the problem. A spare CD writer reacted the same way. Not power. Open/closes/lights - OK. With ANY CD in tray, after closing, it reboots and dies. I even tried an old parallel connected CD writer. It did not recognize it. Cable reseated, but not replaced. Same cable untouched for 3 years.....

Floppy works. Network? Machine boots, but I can't log in - says I have to reactivate Win Srv 2003. (Yes, it is a good legal copy that has been working for years.)

Is there a floppy diag in existance?

by dedlbug

What happens when you get prompted to re-activate Windows? Does it give you the chance to? It should attempt to activate online, then fail and present a number for you to call. (Or something similar to that) Either way, it needs to be re-activated.

Maybe it is a virus that is causing all this? Can you log on locally at all?

Oh Smeg and Bwilmot both suggested to boot from a cd to troubleshoot hardware. Have you tried this yet?

by ptpkhyh99

I appreciate any help, but the board will not accept any CD. Please read original question. NOT CD READ/WRITE EQUIPMENT. Board?

As for re-activating: I try to log in and it accepts that and goes to screen asking if I want to re-active. I click yes ang after about 15 sec., I get a logon screen again. Board? Network gone, too?

How can I check? Load CD on a blank formattet drive? Ideas, please.

by seanferd

The folks above want you to use a boot CD. If it is not a hardware peoblem, it should work, as you are booting an entirely separate OS. You want it to reboot after you put in the CD, so the reboot-on-CD-insertion issue you are experiencing poses no problem whatsoever.

by ptpkhyh99

The point is that THE CD DRIVE WILL NOT WORK!!!! The spare CD drive does not work. It does not matter what CD goes into the drive, it reboots when the tray closes. Same with a spare CD drive. Not drive. NOT DRIVE.

by seanferd

You WANT it to reboot after you put the BOOT CD into the drive.

Since you haven't booted anything but the installed OS, you can't know for sure that the problem is not with Windows.

Now, if you are absolutely positive that it is a hardware problem, but not the drive itself: Your drive controller gas failed - time to buy a new server, system board, or controller.

by ptpkhyh99

Should reboot: don't I know it? Wish it would. I have rebooted with other disks w/o any difference.

"Balge" suggested the power supply. Don't know, but I can't just do the Detroit fix of replacing parts until it works......

Ideas. Tools. Diags that I can put on floppy or Mem Stick. Where/what?

by older mycroft

So, can we drop with the HYSTERIA, eh??!!

You are so wrapped up in your own little insignificant bit of trouble that you are failing to read what everyone has been trying to tell you.

The diagnostic CD [b][u]BOOTS[/b][/u] to an entirely separate operating system - your Server software doesn't get involved.

All you are currently doing is your own version of "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!" and quite frankly [b]it is becoming tedious![/b] ;)

by ptpkhyh99

Gee, you are a lot of help. The drive works, but the machine will not accept ANY CD!!!!!

What part of "ANY CD" did you not understand?
What part of "not the CD drive - it is good" did you not understand?

Please do not try to help anyone else if you cannot read and understand the problem.

If anyone can provide GOOD advice based on the facts presented, I will be very grateful.

by balge

hi
first thought - PSU failing/overloaded.

cheers

by ptpkhyh99

Dedlbug,

Thank you! I will try the flash boot.

Perhaps the PSU. Not CD drive or cables. If not PSU, the board is last.

Detroit Fix:
===========
Dealer not trained to find problem. Solution is to replace parts until problem goes away. Customer pays. Better way is diagnostic tools which I have been hoping to find. Maybe the flash boot is a start.

Thanks,
TB

by ptpkhyh99

Balge & Dedlbug,

Checked the net & found numerous writups on my PSU: COLORSit PSCI-480P
++BAD NEWS!!++ Goes w/some of my hoky problems.

Ordered new one.

by seanferd

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

"Run Ultimate Boot CD from your USB memory stick. A script on the CD prepares your USB memory stick so that it can be used on newer machines that supports booting from USB devices. You can access the same tools as you would from the CD version."

This discussion is closed to new replies.