Question : Problem: Invalid Partition Error

I have a client running an IBM xSeries 235 Model 8671GAX server with Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition installed.  We recently connected a USB external hard drive to the IBM server and when we reboot the server the boot sequence hangs with the error 'Invalid Partition'.  If I disconnect the USB hard drive and reboot I can boot into Windows.

I booted the server into System Setup and verified the boot sequence.  The boot sequence is set to the following order:  1. CD-ROM, 2. hard disk 0, 3. Floppy Drive, 4. Network.

There is no option to boot from the USB device.  I can not find any way in BIOS setup to stop the server from attempting to boot from the USB device if it is connected.  The USB device in question is a Buffalo DriveStation (500GB).

The IBM server is running IBM BIOS v1.11 08/06/03, BIOS Build Level GRE147AUS.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer : Problem: Invalid Partition Error

Depending on your BIOS you should see an option called boot from external media or "other" device.

If there is no option for this, try to upgrade your bios.  It may be in a newer release