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Marius_Roma's avatar
Marius_Roma
Brass Contributor
Oct 29, 2024

Drivers to install Windows after wiping out partisions

I have two servers (an old physical server and a VM hosted by VMware Workstation) with 3 iSCSI disks each. A previous Linux installation was wiped out using Gparted from both servers. When I try to...
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kyazaferr's avatar
kyazaferr
Steel Contributor
Nov 13, 2024

Check the iSCSI Adapter and Controller Drivers

Windows Server requires specific drivers for certain storage controllers and iSCSI adapters to recognize the disks during installation. Since you can install Linux without any issues, it's likely that the iSCSI connection is properly configured, but the Windows installer just needs the correct driver.

  • Download the drivers: You will need to download the appropriate drivers for your iSCSI adapter (this might be a physical iSCSI HBA or a software iSCSI initiator driver). These drivers are usually available on the hardware vendor's website or from the server's or motherboard's support page.
    • For example, if you're using a software iSCSI initiator on VMware, make sure the driver for VMware's virtual SCSI controller is included in your Windows Server installation media.
    • If you're using a physical iSCSI HBA, check the vendor's website (e.g., Broadcom, QLogic, Intel) for the specific drivers.

2. Load the Driver During Installation

  • Prepare a USB drive with the driver: If you have the necessary driver on a separate USB drive, you can load it during the installation of Windows Server.
    • During the Windows Server setup, when you reach the screen where you select the installation disk, you should see an option to "Load driver."
    • Insert the USB drive with the driver and click Load Driver. Windows will search the USB drive for the appropriate drivers, allowing you to select the iSCSI disk.

3. Ensure the Disk is Correctly Initialized

If you wiped out the partitions using Gparted, the disk may need to be initialized before Windows can recognize it. Here's how to proceed:

  • Reinitialize the disk using Diskpart:
    1. Boot from a Windows installation disk.
    2. Press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt during the Windows setup process.
    3. Type diskpart to open the disk partitioning tool.
    4. Run the following commands
  • list disk
    select disk # (replace # with the number of the disk you want to initialize)
    clean
    convert gpt
    exit
      1. After cleaning the disk, close the Command Prompt and continue the Windows installation process. The disk should now be visible.

    4. Check Virtual Disk Settings in VMware Workstation

    Since you're also working with a VM hosted by VMware Workstation, make sure the virtual machine's configuration is correct:

    • Check the virtual SCSI adapter: Ensure that the VM is using a valid virtual disk controller (e.g., SCSI or IDE) that Windows Server can recognize. For iSCSI disks, VMware usually provides a virtual SCSI adapter that can connect to iSCSI storage.
    • Add the virtual disk again: If you've changed the virtual disk configuration or added the iSCSI disk after the VM was created, you may need to re-add it or change the bus type (SCSI or SATA).

    5. Check iSCSI Target Configuration

    Ensure that the iSCSI target (the server providing the iSCSI disks) is properly configured:

    • Verify that the iSCSI target is online and the target configuration is correct. If you're using a software iSCSI initiator on the VM, ensure the iSCSI target is discovered and connected properly.
    • You can also check the status of the iSCSI connection from within the VMware guest OS by using the iSCSI Initiator tool, making sure it’s connected to the target before attempting to install Windows.

    6. Consider Using a Different Controller or Adapter

    If you're using a specific iSCSI adapter that is not supported natively by the Windows Server installer, you might need to:

    • Use a different virtual disk controller (in case of the VMware environment) that Windows can recognize during installation (e.g., a virtual SCSI controller).
    • Use VMware's Paravirtual SCSI (PVSCSI) controller for better performance, especially with iSCSI storage.

    7. Test with Different Disk Management Tools

    If Gparted wiped out the partitions and you're still facing issues, consider using other tools like DiskPart or Windows Disk Management to check the status of the disks after booting from a Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) USB stick or CD.

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