Question : NetWare installation problems

Hi,

I am attempting to install NetWare 6.5 on a new Dell PowerEdge 600SC Server.

Here are the specs:

1.8Ghz Celeron Processor
512Mb DDR ECC RAM
40 Gb HDD

The installation went well, it created a DOS partition of about 4 Gigs and the continued to do everything.  Added the IP addresses and installed eDirectory as well.  However...

When I restart the machine, I get the following error:

Loading Bootstrap ...
Cannot load DOS press any key to retry

When I press a key, the system is rebooted and comes back to the same problem.  Where have I messed up?

Thanks.

Answer : NetWare installation problems

For DOS 6.22 (and others) see: www.bootdisk.com

For your DOS partition on a NW6.5 server:
A boot partition with 1 GB of available space
To determine the optimal size of a boot partition, add the amount of server memory to the minimum amount of the available disk space. The minimum amount of available space is 200 MB, so a server with1024 MB RAM has an optimal boot partition of 1224 MB (1024 MB + 200 MB = 1224 MB). This size will allow you to do a core dump to the disk drive if required.

To install:
Creating and Formatting a Boot Partition
NetWare requires a DOS partition in standard FAT format to hold the NetWare operating system startup and server files. If an adequate boot partition already exists on your machine, proceed to Access the Installation Files.
HINT:  You should increase the size of your boot partition to accommodate your specific configuration requirements. See System Requirements.
To create and format a DOS boot partition:
Back up any desired data to another computer or offline storage media.
Boot your computer with DOS 3.3 or later.
If the computer already has an operating system installed, such as Windows or a previous installation of NetWare, you should completely remove the existing partitions and the operating system.
You can use FDISK to remove partitions, or the partitions can be deleted from the Prepare Boot Partition screen during the NetWare 6.5 installation.
If you want to use FDISK to create an active DOS partition, enter FDISK at the DOS prompt.
Create a primary DOS partition and make it the active partition. See System Requirements for minimum requirements. The computer will restart.
Format and transfer DOS system files to the partition by changing to drive a: and entering FORMAT C: /S at the DOS prompt.
Your computer should now have an active DOS partition that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements. Continue the installation by accessing the installation files

See also: http://www.novell.com/documentation/nw65/index.html -> Install

For GroupWise sizing: http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/gwmag/html/gw_system_sizing.html. Its about GW5.5 but the basics are there.
See also: http://www.novell.com/documentation/gw65/index.html?page=/documentation/gw65/gw65_install/data/a8sdpxb.html