formatting unix server to install windows
 

Hi,
I've got a unix server that I would like to install a windows program to. I have the software but I've never formatted a hard drive before. I wonder if I could get a play by play from someone directed to a laymen.

Thanks......kravn

how do you access the server? By a shell/bash or with ftp or scp, etc?
Depending any/all of your options may be able to give you a pain free way to do it :)

Well, I'm not sure. When I power up the server it basicly opens up to a dos mode and waits for a command....... Kravn

if it is a Unix server, then the "dos like" screen is the Unix form of the Windows Dos prompt. There are many applications, but it's a shell of some kind.

When you say you want to install a windows "program to it" do you mean you want to format and install Windows instead? eg. and OS change?

you can read this MS info on removing Linux and installing Windows. If you have any more questions feel free to post :)

I've went to the setup menu area yet can not find any referances to these terms.

yes sir, I would like to insert a windows disc to install a windows (gui interface) and use as a PC

just put the disc in and boot. When the startup loads chose to format before installation.

I apologize for not having been more helpful with describing my problem, it is as follows... I can turn on the server it comes up with a DOS type screen at first. I can then if I decide make it pull up an accounting form of software (used in an automotive Business) and thats it.
If I exit the accounting software it goes back to the DOS type screen.

If I insert the Windows CD as to load, nothing happens.
I thought that I might be able to type in some commands or go into setup and make some changes that would allow me to load the windows product which is windows 98.

I have visited the site that you gave me, it speaks to a linux sys and I beleive a XP/Vista program, I was not quite sure if the methods would be the same.

At any rate I am about to give up on it, I just hate defete.
I have appreciated your help and your time........thanks, kravn

there are 2 things you can try to install windows, run the computer and try pressing F8 and delete, these are common keys to get into BIOS.
If you manage to get into bios, look for a boot order and make it so that your cd drive comes before and hard drive (hda).
This will allow you to restart and install/format.

If this does not work, load with the cd in the tray and move to the cd drive, if it is linux, type ls or dir to see the directory, if you do not see anything named media or something relating to a drive, change to the root folder by typing: cd /
cd = change directory, and / is the root, essentially C:\ in windows.
Once on the cd use the cd command (if XP) to I386\winnt.exe, this is a 16bit installer for XP and you can use it in DOS or bash or whatever, and install that way.

Hi,

what you need to do is the following:

1.
Remove the existing partitions and in fact everything Unix/Linux related from the hard disk. Do this by downloading the WIN98 Boot diskette (with CD-support) from this link:

http://www.syschat.com/download62.html

On another PC extract the package to a diskette and boot the Unix server using the diskette. If the server really has no FAT-partitions, the bootsidkette will result in entering a DOS-prompt. Start the FDISK-command and remove all NON-dos partitions from the harddisk. Then create a DOS-partition (FAT or whatever it was called). Info on using FDISK:

Microsoft fdisk command page

2.
After this, reboot the server using the same diskette AND with the WIN98 CD in place and install Windows.

HTH,

Petri