I've got a Dell T310 server for which we have made volume backups of the system drive with Windows Backup. I'm trying to restore one of these, which means I need to boot from the Windows install CD. I also know I need to load the PERC storage controller drivers, and have them on a USB.
There is usually splash screen which asks for your language/keyboard settings and then offers options to "Install Now" and "Repair your computer". Normally, I would click "Repair your computer", which opens the System Recovery dialog. From there, I would choose the "Load drivers" button, browse to the drivers on the USB and carry on from there.
However, when this server boots, it asks for the language/keyboard settings, then immediately says "A required CD/DVD device driver is missing." and prompts for the driver. I point it at the PERC drivers on the USB and it continues.
However, at this point, it completely bypasses the "Install Now" / "Repair your computer" splash screen and proceeds to the edition menu and the disk partitioning, as if I had clicked "Install Now".
How do I get it to take the "Repair your computer" branch after taking the device driver?
I discovered that Windows only seems to do this if the USB containing the PERC drivers is inserted into the server before the Windows Install environment loads.
If the Windows CD boots without the USB connected, the "Repair your computer" option is shown. I can then choose to load drivers, insert the USB and point it at the PERC drivers.
Weird, but there you go...