Appendix B: Installing the Windows OS

Appendix B

Installing the Windows OS

After all hardware components have been installed, you must first configure Intel South Bridge RAID Settings before you install the Windows OS and other software drivers. To configure RAID settings, please refer to RAID Configuration User Guides posted on our web site at www.supermicro.com/support/manuals.

B-1 Installing the Windows OS to a RAID System

1.Insert Microsoft's Windows XP/2003/2008/Vista Setup CD in the CD Driver, and the system will start booting up from CD.

2.Press the <F6> key when the message-" Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver" displays.

3.When the Windows XP/2003/2008/Vista Setup screen appears, press "S" to specify additional device(s).

4.Insert the driver diskette-"Intel AA RAID XP/2003/2008/Vista Driver for ICH10R" into Drive A: and press the <Enter> key.

5.Choose the Intel(R) ICH10R SATA RAID Controller from the list indicated in the XP/2003/2008/Vista Setup Screen, and press the <Enter> key.

6.Press the <Enter> key to continue the installation process. (If you need to specify any additional devices to be installed, do it at this time.) Once all devices are specified, press the <Enter> key to continue with the installation.

7.From the Windows XP/2003/2008/Vista Setup screen, press the <Enter> key. The XP/2003/2008/Vista Setup will automatically load all device files and then, continue the Windows XP/2003/2008/Vista installation.

8.After the Windows XP/2003/2008/Vista OS Installation is completed, the sys- tem will automatically reboot.

B-1

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SUPER MICRO Computer X8DA3 user manual Installing the Windows OS to a RAID System, Appendix B Installing the Windows OS

X8DA3 specifications

Super Micro Computer, also known as Supermicro, is a prominent player in the world of computing hardware, particularly known for its high-performance server solutions. One of their noteworthy offerings is the X8DA3 motherboard, which is designed for dual-processor systems and caters to various applications, including data centers, cloud computing, and enterprise-level operations.

The Supermicro X8DA3 motherboard supports Intel's Nehalem and Westmere architectures, accommodating two LGA 1366 sockets for Intel Xeon processors. This setup allows for impressive computational power and scalability. The motherboard can support up to 192GB of DDR3 RAM across six DIMM slots, enabling high memory bandwidth essential for memory-intensive applications.

One of the standout features of the X8DA3 is its robust I/O options. It comes equipped with six SATA II ports and two SAS ports, allowing for flexible storage configurations. Additionally, the board supports a range of RAID levels, including 0, 1, 5, and 10, providing data redundancy and performance optimization. For enhanced connectivity, the motherboard includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring reliable networking capabilities which are crucial for server environments.

In terms of expandability, the X8DA3 features multiple PCIe slots, providing users with the ability to add various expansion cards such as graphics cards, network cards, or additional storage controllers. This flexibility allows companies to tailor their server setups according to specific needs.

Power management is another critical aspect of the X8DA3. It supports ATX power supplies and features advanced power-saving technologies that help in reducing overall energy consumption. This ecological consideration is particularly important for organizations looking to minimize their carbon footprint while maintaining optimal performance.

For thermal management, Supermicro incorporates a design that allows for efficient airflow and cooling, which is crucial for maintaining system stability during intensive workloads. The motherboard is also equipped with multiple temperature sensors that provide real-time monitoring, ensuring components operate within safe thermal levels.

Overall, the Super Micro Computer X8DA3 motherboard is a reliable and high-performance choice for businesses requiring a versatile and powerful computing platform. Its support for dual processors, extensive memory options, advanced storage capabilities, and solid expandability make it an attractive option for enterprise applications in today’s computationally demanding environments.