The right procedure to upgrade a 4600 from W2k to W2k3

Hi,

These are the steps recommended for an upgrade from Win2000 to Win2003.

You need to update the System BIOS, ESM Firmware, Win2000 Perc drivers and Perc firmware.
Disconnect the cable to the UPS (if installed).
Uninstall any Dell OpenManage products.
Uninstall or disable any Virus protection software.
Backup, Backup, Backup (this should probably be higher in the list) 

Insert the Win2003 CD and follow the prompts

These are the files you need:

System BIOS, PowerEdge 4600, A09
FileName:  PE4600-BIOSA09.exe [625 KB]
Release Date:  6/30/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R60223

ESM Firmware, PowerEdge 4600,  A28
FileName:  PE4600-ESMA28.exe [226 KB]
Release Date:  6/30/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R60263

PERC2, 2/Si, 3/Si, 3/Di, Driver, 2000, v. 2.7.1.4944, A12
Filename: w2ka12dr.exe [211 KB]
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R47959

Adaptec PERC3/Di, Firmware, PowerEdge 4600, v. 2.7.1.3170, A03
Filename: BJ317003.exe [875 KB]
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R46773

After the upgrade is complete and before installing the latest Dell OpenManage products, you need to upgrade the Win2003 Perc Driver:

PERC 2/qc, 2/Si, 3/Si, 3/Di, Driver, 2003, v.2.7.1.4944, A02
FileName:  WS03A02.exe [221 KB]
Release Date:  9/9/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R58648

Thanks for using the Dell Community Forums!

Will this procedure also work to upgrade a 4600 from XP to W2k3?

Thanks,

Corinne

Hi Corinne,

In theory, yes the same procedure can be used to upgrade any Operating System.

However as Windows XP Pro is not validated on any PowerEdge Server, I have no real data to confirm the procedure will work, or if it is even possible to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Server 2003 (does Microsoft allow this?).

Thanks for using the Dell Community Forums!

Hi Corinne,

I checked with Microsoft and found out it is not possible to upgrade Windows XP to Windows Server 2003. The only Operating System capable of being upgraded to Windows Server 2003 are Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000.

The Dimension series of desktop computers are not validated on Windows Server 2003 (or any Server Operating System). We will not have specific drivers which will be required. However, I have found that (usually) in the absense of specific drivers, the Win2000 version will work.

Sorry I could not be more help, but what you are attempting has not been tested, so I have no data with which to obtain a procedure.