ProLiant 800/SmartStart /Array Controller 221 questions

Hello,

I inherited a ProLiant 800 without any docs or disks, just the
hardware. There's nothing installed on system at all.

When I boot, it says "Hit F1 to Continue" and "F10 to enter System
Partition Utilities". When I hit F10, it says these utilities are not
on the system. Ok, so after researching this, I discover that I need
something called SmartStart, which has about a billion different
versions, and it would seem it costs $$$. Aside from being a bit angry
that I can't simply download this utility and burn it, I don't know
which verion to get. Is this the kind of deal where the most recent
works on every thing Compaq made prior to that version, or do I need a
specific or specific range of version numbers. It seems there are
5.0s, 6.0s, and 7.0s.

Aside from wanting to be able to boot the system to Linux without it
giving me this F1 prompt, I would also like to configure the Array
Controller, whatever that does. Is this a RAID capable card, or does
it just make several HD's look like one, or what?

Docs docs docs. Uggh.

Any assistance is much appreciated. I want to get this machine as
solidly usable as possible. I intend to find a second processor for
it, and add RAM so it'll make a decent Linux box.

Thanks!!!!

--Steven

You need a SmartStart CD. For your machine, it will be version 5.50. You
boot from it and it walks you through setting up you system.

You cant even buy 5.x from HPanymore ... you can buy the 6.x versions, and
the 7.x versions are free. But, only 4.x/5.x will support your system.

You can DL an iso of 5.50 from me. send an email to cpqiso at dnsplus dot
net. I do ask for a paypal donation to help cover the cost of the server
hosting and bandwidth. Its costs me a fair piece of change to make this
available to the people that need it.

Let me know what you want to do ...

- LC

"Steven" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I inherited a ProLiant 800 without any docs or disks, just the
hardware. There's nothing installed on system at all.

When I boot, it says "Hit F1 to Continue" and "F10 to enter System
Partition Utilities". When I hit F10, it says these utilities are not
on the system. Ok, so after researching this, I discover that I need
something called SmartStart, which has about a billion different
versions, and it would seem it costs $$$. Aside from being a bit angry
that I can't simply download this utility and burn it, I don't know
which verion to get. Is this the kind of deal where the most recent
works on every thing Compaq made prior to that version, or do I need a
specific or specific range of version numbers. It seems there are
5.0s, 6.0s, and 7.0s.

Aside from wanting to be able to boot the system to Linux without it
giving me this F1 prompt, I would also like to configure the Array
Controller, whatever that does. Is this a RAID capable card, or does
it just make several HD's look like one, or what?

Docs docs docs. Uggh.

Any assistance is much appreciated. I want to get this machine as
solidly usable as possible. I intend to find a second processor for
it, and add RAM so it'll make a decent Linux box.

Thanks!!!!

--Steven

It's not really necessary to have the entire SmartStart package to do
what you want to do. You really only need to download two files from
HP. These files are used to create a total of 6 bootable diskettes. The
first is the System Configuration Utility (2.4MB):

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/fi...oad/13227.html

The second is the Array Configuration Utility (2.6MB):

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/fi...load/8605.html

Get these two utlities and make the diskettes. Put in the first disk
and reboot. You will be given an option to create a System Partition
(that F10 thing, remember), and I strongly suggest that you do so.

Welcome to the ProLiant family...and post any other problems you
encounter.

I disagree. Those 6 floppies do not give you:

Array Configuration utilty
System Erase Utility
RomPAQ Upgrade Utility
Drive Array Advanced Diagnostincs
Or any of the other groovy utilities that are on the CD, such as:
The ability to do 1 of 3 types of OS installations
- Assisted Integrated
- Manual Integrated
- Replicated Integrated

Not to mention, the floppy method is SLLLOOOOOWWW and prone to errors.

- LC


"Jeffrey Alsip" wrote in message
ups.com...
It's not really necessary to have the entire SmartStart package to do
what you want to do. You really only need to download two files from
HP. These files are used to create a total of 6 bootable diskettes. The
first is the System Configuration Utility (2.4MB):

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/fi...oad/13227.html

The second is the Array Configuration Utility (2.6MB):


http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/fi...load/8605.html

Get these two utlities and make the diskettes. Put in the first disk
and reboot. You will be given an option to create a System Partition
(that F10 thing, remember), and I strongly suggest that you do so.

Welcome to the ProLiant family...and post any other problems you
encounter.

My dad always said, "Beware of salesmen giving free advise!"

This guy wants to do the minimal to set up his first ProLiant to be a
Linux box. All of your post responses boil down to one single
statement: "Send me money and I will solve your problem." Shameless
profiteering.

I have several ProLiants running right here at home, including an 800
that I set up to run Fedora Core 3...using the exact method I suggested
to this gentleman. If he finds he needs (or wants) the extra utilities
included with SmartStart, he can buy them (or download them for free)
later. And guess what? He doesn't have to send me one red cent!

The Compaq website is very easy to navigate and they have made ALL of
these older utilities freely available...so download what you need. If
anyone decides they need a copy of SmartStart, well I bought a copy of
5.5, 6.0, and 7.10 for $0.99 each and about $5.00 for shipping, on an
ebay auction. I suppose I could use a freeware utility to make an ISO
image of the disks and greedily market them to ProLiant newcomers...but
I have way too much integrity!

These are wonderful old machines, and most are fully compatible with
todays latest Software...my ProLiant 3000 is running Server 2003 with
no complaints. So everyone is encouraged to seek and accept the advise
of people who are doing these post replies out of genuine love for
these great systems...and ignore the advise of greedy salesmen
shamelessly hiding behind a silly pseudonym.

I too have set up several servers using the floppy method. Its slow,
prone to error (use fairly new floppies not some old ones just lying
around), and can be frustrating compared to the SmartStart CD.

I have found all of the smart start utilities for download at the
Compaq site, some are burried treasures found while looking for
something else. I was fortunate enough to have a friend on the East
Coast who found about 50 smart start CDs in his desk drawer at a new
job. He sent me a couple the next day.

I'm about to retire a couple of ProLiant 2500s that have run rock solid
for me the last 3-4 years. Both were set up using the Floppy method.
They have run just about every Linux Distro and Windows NT/2000. Its
too bad they can't run Windows 2003 or they'd still be in the rack.

NuTCrAcKeR has been an excellent source of information and support.
(just read the archives of this group) Please don't crack down on him
too much because he wan'ts a couple of $ to support his internet costs.

Perhaps I was a bit too harsh, and I apologize.

When I started rebuilding these systems, a couple of years ago, I was
inundated by offers from salesmen who had "exactly what I need". One
guy was going to set me up with hot plug 9.1G drives for only $112
each! I am fortunate that I had the patience to look for better deals,
and (after making my interest known) from the offers of free parts some
of my friends had no use for.

My 3000, for instance, now has both processor modules, redundant fans,
1.5G RAM, and 7 18G drives installed...along with an F1 Array Unit
carrying another 7 9.1G drives. To date, my total out of pocket cost
for this monster system is $89.75.

Your ststement aboiut finding "hidden treasures" on the Compaq site, is
an important point which needs to be firmly driven home. Anyone
interested in "getting into" these great machines should make it a
priority to get very familiar with the Compaq site. It boils down to
"do it now, or do it later"...but they WILL have to do it.

However anyone with limited patience, and extra funds, should of course
feel free to persue quicker, costlier solutions to their hardware and
software needs.

You can download Smartstart 5.5 here as an ISO image.

http://www.dondoucette.com/smartstart/cpqsmst550.rar



Steven wrote:
Hello,

I inherited a ProLiant 800 without any docs or disks, just the
hardware. There's nothing installed on system at all.

When I boot, it says "Hit F1 to Continue" and "F10 to enter System
Partition Utilities". When I hit F10, it says these utilities are not
on the system. Ok, so after researching this, I discover that I need
something called SmartStart, which has about a billion different
versions, and it would seem it costs $$$. Aside from being a bit angry
that I can't simply download this utility and burn it, I don't know
which verion to get. Is this the kind of deal where the most recent
works on every thing Compaq made prior to that version, or do I need a
specific or specific range of version numbers. It seems there are
5.0s, 6.0s, and 7.0s.

Aside from wanting to be able to boot the system to Linux without it
giving me this F1 prompt, I would also like to configure the Array
Controller, whatever that does. Is this a RAID capable card, or does
it just make several HD's look like one, or what?

Docs docs docs. Uggh.

Any assistance is much appreciated. I want to get this machine as
solidly usable as possible. I intend to find a second processor for
it, and add RAM so it'll make a decent Linux box.

Thanks!!!!

--Steven

Sorry Man, Bad link.

Better luck next time

- LC

"Desty" wrote in message

m.au...
You can download Smartstart 5.5 here as an ISO image.

http://www.dondoucette.com/smartstart/cpqsmst550.rar



Steven wrote:
Hello,

I inherited a ProLiant 800 without any docs or disks, just the
hardware. There's nothing installed on system at all.

When I boot, it says "Hit F1 to Continue" and "F10 to enter System
Partition Utilities". When I hit F10, it says these utilities are not
on the system. Ok, so after researching this, I discover that I need
something called SmartStart, which has about a billion different
versions, and it would seem it costs $$$. Aside from being a bit angry
that I can't simply download this utility and burn it, I don't know
which verion to get. Is this the kind of deal where the most recent
works on every thing Compaq made prior to that version, or do I need a
specific or specific range of version numbers. It seems there are
5.0s, 6.0s, and 7.0s.

Aside from wanting to be able to boot the system to Linux without it
giving me this F1 prompt, I would also like to configure the Array
Controller, whatever that does. Is this a RAID capable card, or does
it just make several HD's look like one, or what?

Docs docs docs. Uggh.

Any assistance is much appreciated. I want to get this machine as
solidly usable as possible. I intend to find a second processor for
it, and add RAM so it'll make a decent Linux box.

Thanks!!!!

--Steven