Install Win2K Server on brand new machine...how?

[shawn gibson]

Hi There,

I just decided to start up a small server at home so I can learn backend programming for the web (frontend design guy here), and get my clients' sites functional before they move to dedicated hosting. I have Win2K Server, and I therefore told the company I purchased from that I don't need an OS.

I just set the computer up, but it seems to be looking for info from the floppy, and it won't read the Windows CD when I put it in.

Can I get into BIOS somehow (even though the monitor screen is totally blank) and change the boot disk to CD?

Do I need to find a floppy boot disk somewhere?

My purchase included (completely) the following, and I have the Win2K S CD, as I say:

Intel P4 1.8A
ASUS P4B533 VML/B - P4Intel845G-2DDR V/A/L Micro ATX
Maxtor 60 Gig UIDE hd
Panasonic 1.44 floppy
CoreMicro 512MB DDR333 PC2700 memory (x2)
AOPEN 1648 16X DVD
IN WIN S523 Midtower case w/ 300W Power supply

...that's it

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Shawn

[ktkendall]

Actually first problem is your monitor screen being blank!! You'll need to address that first, then yes you should see what key to press to get into the bios and boot from the CD and install W2K! Back to the video now, are you sure it's a good monitor?? Are you getting a series of beeps when you try to power up?? You may have a video card issue if you are sure the monitor is good and all plugged in to the right places.

[shawn gibson]

Thanks kt.

How about plain old stupid human error?

Er, uh, since when do monitors come with removable cords that you can step on an unplug from the back. I am still red in the face from embarassment.

Got into BIOS, no problem, from there.

What a boob. It's all up and running.

Now the big chore is trying to figure out how to get my broadband connection and the firewall and my other computer hooked up together so I can get on the net. I tried putting the broadband plug right into the server for now, but it doesn't seem to know how to connect, and I'm afraid to call Rogers for help because they might get upset at me for having a server here.

Ugh. 1 step at a time.

Thanks again, kt.

Shawn

[ktkendall]

I have not seen one that has removable cord, I assume you mean the video cord. I lost a pin once in the female part on the PC and ended up buying a new monitor and video card, sure couldn't understand then why the cord wasn't plug ended on both sides. As far as your broadband, I assume your coming off the ethernet port of your cable modem into the NIC of your PC(server). You should be able to call them for support, you don't have to tell them it's a server, but hopefully your not doing anything illegal there. Post back with a little more info about what you have connected to what for that broadband connection and I'm sure we can figure that one out!

[shawn gibson]

Hi kt,

Sorry, kinda sick on the weekend. I plodded through what I could. Got the OS up and running, and re-formatted my workstation to the same Win2K Server OS just for compatibility and peace of mind.

I spoke to my ISP, they said no problem, just buy another IP for $10/month.

They know what I'm doing--simply trying to set up a localhost so I can start doing asp/cfm/php etc. I want a workstation for fun, and this new server for designing/learning/testing, then my clients can go to dedicated hosting when up and running, say from IBM or Dell. For example, I've the template for the main part of The Concourse Club done (concourseclub.ca) but it's all front end. I couldn't design a functional login page if I had to yet.

I need to figure out how to set up a localhost. I've downloaded a php/Apache/mySQL package that seems to be running, but for example when I try to open the main page of Coldfusion, it doesn't recognize a valid location. Getting all these things to talk is going to take a lot of effort.

On the upside, my router works for one computer, so I'm sure they'll both be up soon enough.

OK, maybe my weekend was a little more productive than my cold led me to believed.

Thanks again, kt

Shawn