Typical! Windows Server 2003 R2 64Bit problems!

[CM786]

Hi guys,

 

As I posted in another thread I am setting up a server using Windows Server 2003 R2 x64. I also have the 32Bit version of Server 2003 on the server on a seperate HDD and it works fine. I kept it incase I had problems with the 64bit version since I had heard it was abit of a pain!

 

The 64Bit version installs up to a point, then after setup reboots does the "installing devices" bit and when that all finishes and the PC is rebooted into the newly installed operating system for the first time the, when the windows logon screen is supposed to come up the monitor goes blank and then I get "No Input Signal" on the screen. Obviously a graphics problem then?? I can get into Server 2003 x64 using safe mode however, so I'm sure its a driver issue.

 

The Server has the following spec:

 

Athlon Dual Core X2 3800+

Asus A8N-SLI SE

2Gb Crucal Ram

2 x 36Gb Western Digital 10K Raptor

1 x 250Gb SATA2 HDD

1 x Saphire ATI Radeon X300SE

 

I am going to try installing the Radeon driver in safe mode and then seeing if I can get into Windows, not sure if it will let me however.

 

I'm next back at the school on Tuesday and will only have limited time to fix it, so any ideas appreciated!

 

Thanks

[indie]

I've come across the same problem with some x64 Dell machines, reboot into safe mode, go into Device Manager > Display Adpaters > Right click on the X300 and go to uninstall (if there's two entries for the GFX card Uninstall them both), reboot then install the ATI drivers and all should be fine.

[CM786]

Thanks Indie,

 

As far I can remember, in Device Manager their is no video adapter entry. I also tried booting into VGA only mode and that also failed.

 

Not alot I can do now until I go back on Tuesday, but all ideas appreciated.

[indie]

There shold be a Video Adapter listed even if it's just the default one windows installs when it doesn't know what graphics card is in the machine. Have a check when you're back at the school and let me know.

[DMcCoy]

is it a tft? Very occasionally I have seen drivers try to use frequency that is not supported, its worth a try anyway.

[indie]

When I first came across the problem on our machines I thought it could be that so I plugged in a CRT but still got no picture.

 

I'm not saying that me and CM786 have the same problem but they appear to be the same, no harm in trying a CRT I suppose!

[DMcCoy]

Hmm, another idea! Does the card have dual outputs? usually without the drivers either only one is enabled or its a mirror. Try the other port.

[indie]

The card's I had the problems with are ATI Fire GL V3100's with Dual outputs, I thought it could be that too, a quick cable swap and nothing.

[CM786]

Lots of good ideas.

 

The monitor is a TFT, but its gonna be hard finding a CRT - the school have just changed over from old style iMacs so it looks like I'm going to have to ask the Secretary if I can use her office PC monitor for a few minutes!

 

The card has 1xVGA out and 1XDVI out, so I would think the VGA output was working by default?

 

I hope that Indie is right and its a quick fix.

[indie]

Our Fire GL's have 1xVGA and 1xDVI and by default they just mirror the output on both ports.

[CM786]

I've come across the same problem with some x64 Dell machines, reboot into safe mode, go into Device Manager > Display Adpaters > Right click on the X300 and go to uninstall (if there's two entries for the GFX card Uninstall them both), reboot then install the ATI drivers and all should be fine.

 

Yep.... sorted! Thanks Indie!

 

Only probem (well for now!) I have is that gpmc.msc (Group Policy Management Console) doesn't seem to work with the x64bit version?? I had a quick look on the net and didn't find any x64 bit version.

[indie]

Damn I'm good

 

After a quick search on tinterweb it looks like it won't work on x64 which is utterly stupid, apparently it's a .net problem. Microsoft's answer is to use another machine on the domain which is running Server 2003 32bit or install the administration tools on a 32bit XP machine. Nice.