How to convert a Flame Z Workstation running Linux into a Windows machine?

[jorge6995Q]

Hey guys,

We have this old HP Z840 that was used for Flame that we want to repurpose, but it's not letting us install Windows to it, do I have to change something in the BIOS so I can install Windows to it? because Linux runs just fine, but windows Blue Screens.

Thanks.

[Beau_James]

I would advise checking to see if Windows is expecting safe or secure boot or UEFI.  Most Flames are configured to legacy mode.  It may benefit the system to default the BIOS, however my experience is in Unix/Linux/macOS.  Advise using a secondary drive and boot via BIOS instead of using a boot loader.

[jorge6995Q]

I already checked that and no matter what I chose, I get a BSOD from Windwos when the installer is booting sayng there is a problem with the driver for the storage, I have a;so changed the store type from RAID to AHCI, but nothing helped, so I was wondering if there is a setting Autodesk changed that wouldn't allow for Windows to work on these Z Workstations.

[Beau_James]

If you default the BIOS plus you are installing a new OS, there should be no remnants of ADSK to block or interfere.  I would suggest looking at the HP Customer Support Knowledge Base for any advisories.  If you are using the same drive as before you can launch the ADSK CFIN iso from the system requirements and delete the LVM.  That may help if there is a storage issue.

Good luck.

[beak]

It may be that between EFI and LVM MS just cant understand the disk geometry.

Consider a new physical disk. SSDs are cheap these days. Unhook the flame system disk, plug in the blank new one and start from there. I mean like physically unplug the old disk so that the system will not see it. MS like to own everything it seems(!)

I have made several dual/triple boot win10/cent7.x machines before. Indeed, I write this on one now. The trick to get that to work is to always install windows first...then Linux.

If you can get windows working you have to possibility of creating a dual boot. If you really don't need the CentOS anymore, just blast it and use it as extra storage in your new win 10.

I hope this helps,

-------Beak

[jorge6995Q]

It is a new SSD, but every time I boot from the Windows installer, it blue screens saying driver error StorPort.sys which is the driver for the LSI SATA in it.

[beak]

Hmmm, this is a conundrum in deed. I think what you want to wind up doing is "slip-streaming" the .sys file into the ISO. It's a pain, but this guy sounds intelligent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX00GfPyh_k

I have had a situation where I've done this with upgrades. A lot of the time windows updates include the actual thing you needed like yesterday.

   I'm having my own install problems with the new Rocky 8 iso (from ADSK), so I'm kid of stuck in my own rabbit hole, else I would try to be more helpful.

I think you mentioned the 'Nuclear Option' before, as in enter BIOS setup and reset everything to defaults (then power cycle). You can always take the MB battery out, has the same effect, cleans up all BIOS setting. Make sure to reset you're date and time on reboot. I forgot once and got a banner ad for Earth Wind and Fire on nextboot. 😉

I know for sure nothing likes booting from a RAID.

After that, you could try to open a ticket with HP, if you haven't already.

I wish I could be more help. Slip-streaming drivers is the R&D focus.

Keep us posted,

--------------------Beak

[jorge6995Q · Accepted solution]

It's Alive, I reset BIOS settings to default, got the HP Cloud Recovery Tool, downloaded the Windows Install media with drivers on it from there and it's working with Windows.

[beak]

YEEEEESSS!

Glad to hear it. I'm still in Rocky 8.4 Install-Hell, but I'll get it sorted.

At least one of us made it out! Let's hope karma does it's thing.

Cheers,

-----------Beak