Windows Vista No Drives Found during Installation [SOLVED]

[Ten2O]

I am installing Windows Vista on a different machine than the one listed in my current specifications. The machine's specs are:
Motherboard: IBM System x3300 m4 7382 PBC
OS: None
CPU: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2430 0 @ 2.20GHz, 2200 Mhz, 6 Cores
RAM: 64 gb DDR3
1TB Hard Disk
DVD Drive: Broken but I have a replacement if necessary (replaced it)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT

I am attempting the install via USB.

I get into the setup, when it asks me to select my installation drive, it says "No Drives Found" and asks for a driver. I don't have any driver for this. In fact, I don't have any drivers at all for this system. I've installed Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 and even Windows 7 (haven't installed it myself, other people did it for me, and it was with great difficulty) so I am hoping for some help here. I have tried to look for a driver but with no luck. I was reading in other forums that Windows Vista shouldn't need a driver for this, so I am very confused as well.

 

[wither 3]

I won't pretend to be very knowledgeable about this and hopefully one of the big boys will jump in.

However, according to this-

Overview - System x3300 M4 Express Model (7382-PAW)

Product information for the System x3300 M4 express models (7382-PAW)

www.ibm.com

the system supports certain Windows Server operating systems..

Also, it mentions that the BIOS is installed via a "flash" EEPROM. I wonder if the BIOS supports Vista.

 

[Ten2O]

I won't pretend to be very knowledgeable about this and hopefully one of the big boys will jump in.

However, according to this-

Overview - System x3300 M4 Express Model (7382-PAW)

Product information for the System x3300 M4 express models (7382-PAW)

www.ibm.com

the system supports certain Windows Server operating systems..

Also, it mentions that the BIOS is installed via a "flash" EEPROM. I wonder if the BIOS supports Vista.

If it supports Windows Server 2008 (which it does), it should support Vista. They are based on the same things.

I tried applying the ISO using DISM++ and putting the hdd into the server (the same thing I did to install windows 7 once on my gaming pc build) but it just gives me a reboot loop.

 

[wither 3]

I understand. Some people have been installing the Server 2008 updates on their Vista systems after Vista support was terminated. I did that until i ran into problems and decided it wasn't worth it.

I guess you can't get into the BIOS.

What is the background of the computer?

 

[Ten2O]

I understand. Some people have been installing the Server 2008 updates on their Vista systems after Vista support was terminated. I did that until i ran into problems and decided it wasn't worth it.

I guess you can't get into the BIOS.

What is the background of the computer?

Can't get into bios? Sure I can! What do you want to know from the bios?

I also tried installing the drivers from here: IBM System x3300 M4 -[7382AC1 Drivers Download for Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP

But that didn't do anything, even though windows said it was compatible.

Also, what do you mean by background?

 

[Ten2O]

Update: I just finished installing the new disk drive, so I can use DVD's now. Not that it helps.

 

[townsbg]

I suspect that you created the USB drive incorrectly. I found this for creating a bootable USB drive for Vista: Bootable Windows USB Drive: Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 The official M$ tool for USB media is for 7 and higher. It's also possible the bios isn't configured for booting from USB drives.

 

[Ten2O]

I suspect that you created the USB drive incorrectly. I found this for creating a bootable USB drive for Vista: Bootable Windows USB Drive: Guide for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 The official M$ tool for USB media is for 7 and higher. It's also possible the bios isn't configured for booting from USB drives.

I have a Gateway OEM disc for Windows Vista. This PC is not the PC it came with (the pc it came with is long dead) but it should still work. I'll try it and see if it can see the drives. -I won't install with it, as it will have the incorrect drivers.

 

[Ten2O]

Update: Gateway disc was hardcoded to only boot on Gateway PC's, which seemed like a stretch, but ok.
Also tried some old disc I made and keyboard and mouse didn't work after booting.

I don't think I created the usb drive incorrectly. I used Rufus. I'm thinking it's something in either the files of the USB or the bios. I've even tried loading the CORRECT drivers, and even THAT doesn't work.

UPDATE: Diskpart doesn't even see the drive inside the installation. I know the drive works, as I can access it with my normal PC and in the server bios.

 

[Ten2O]

I'm confused. Why can Windows 7 and up see the hard drive?

 

[wither 3]

In your first post, you mentioned that you've had other OS's installed by other people. I didn't know if that meant this system or other systems. You might clarify that.

The normal procedure for installing various OS's is to install the oldest one first.

 

[Ten2O]

In your first post, you mentioned that you've had other OS's installed by other people. I didn't know if that meant this system or other systems. You might clarify that.

I meant the one I listed the specs of in the original post. The one I'm trying to install Vista on.

 

[wither 3]

I just added to my last post. Didn't know you would respond that quick.

 

[Ten2O]

In your first post, you mentioned that you've had other OS's installed by other people. I didn't know if that meant this system or other systems. You might clarify that.

The normal procedure for installing various OS's is to install the oldest one first.

I don't have any other OS's installed anymore. That's why I'm trying to install one now. I wanted Vista because it's the only one I haven't used.

 

[wither 3]

Where did you get the ISO from? Ex_Brit, here in the forum can give you one with almost all the updates. I don't have time to look for the thread. You can then burn that to a DVD and do the install from it. I won't swear that it will see your drive. I asked about getting into the BIOS earlier to see if that drive is shown and the boot priority.

 

[Ten2O]

Where did you get the ISO from? Ex_Brit, here in the forum can give you one with almost all the updates. I don't have time to look for the thread. You can then burn that to a DVD and do the install from it. I won't swear that it will see your drive. I asked about getting into the BIOS earlier to see if that drive is shown and the boot priority.

I don't remember where I got the ISO from. It was geniune and it had no malware. I think it was from the eye.

 

[wither 3]

Since you didn't address my last sentence, I assume the drive is shown in the BIOS and you can set the boot priority.

I think you ought to go here-

Vista ISO download

just discovered a good, clean source from where you can download a Vista ISO. You need to have your product key (e.g. from the COA sticker on your PC). Installation & Upgrade - Vista ISO - Download and Create Installation DVD or USB[/DEL] EDIT [DEL]The above link is currently back working so...

www.vistax64.com

and request the ISO (look at the first post). Then burn it to disc and attempt the installation. Since you don't have a Vista key for that machine, I think that ISO should work.

 

[Ten2O]

Since you didn't address my last sentence, I assume the drive is shown in the BIOS and you can set the boot priority.

I think you ought to go here-

Vista ISO download

just discovered a good, clean source from where you can download a Vista ISO. You need to have your product key (e.g. from the COA sticker on your PC). Installation & Upgrade - Vista ISO - Download and Create Installation DVD or USB[/DEL] EDIT [DEL]The above link is currently back working so...

www.vistax64.com

and request the ISO (look at the first post). Then burn it to disc and attempt the installation. Since you don't have a Vista key for that machine, I think that ISO should work.

The drive is shown in the bios. I don't know about boot priority, but that shouldn't matter. I can just select the drive to boot from. What would the difference be between my current ISO and that one?

 

[wither 3]

I don't know if your ISO contains a Vista key or what any other differences are.

You set the boot priority to have Windows address whichever drive you want it to look at when it first boots. For instance, most people set a CD drive is the first boot device so that any disc, such as an installation/repair disc, in that drive will be read before continuing to boot..

 

[Ten2O]

I don't know if your ISO contains a Vista key or what any other differences are.

You set the boot priority to have Windows address whichever drive you want it to look at when it first boots. For instance, most people set a CD drive is the first boot device so that any disc, such as an installation/repair disc, in that drive will be read before continuing to boot..

I'm downloading a Vista ISO from the eye. They have an MSDN archive. They don't give away keys. Another ISO won't help. I've tried with multiple. I just want a way to install Vista. I don't care how complicated it is.