Hi.
I am trying to get a old server up and running as a file server to see if it is something I could use in a HomeLab. The server is ancient, Core 2 Duo era. I got it for free, it won’t be used for long if I like TrueNAS or if a NAS is something I even need. Anyway, according to the official Hardware Guide a 2-Core Intel 64-Bit or AMD x86_64 processor, 8 GB memory, a 16 GB boot device is all that is needed.
I run into problems when trying to install Scale or Core. Core I can’t even get it to the installer, it freezes when the installer is loading. I can install Scale, but a service will take forever to start running, timeout, then pause at an error telling me to press a key to restart the service but it gets caught in a loop. (I can get the exact error if needed)
My server checks all of those boxes, so I do not see a reason why there are problems installing.
For those wondering the specific model is a PowerEdge 1900 with a PERC 5 HBA of some kind.
I am trying to install just to the main hard drive without another installed, is that needed for the installer to continue?
Anybody have any ideas?
If anyone asks, I am not going to buy any other equipment. This is purely for entertainment/ experimentation.
First post BTW, if this is posted in the wrong spot let me know.
Before you continue, I suggest that you get rid of the PERC 5 HBA, because it is actually a RAID card, and thats no bueno for ZFS. Also, it seems according to this ancient post that there is NO IT firmware available.
Just connect your single drive to an internal SATA port. If you need more ports later on, get a LSI SAS HBA 92xx or 93xx), flashed to IT mode.
The Perc 5 in this instance has no RAID functionality in its firmware nor does it have any DRAM cache or any place to install a external battery. So it is in fact a HBA only. Just to help in diagnostics I’ll remove it when I fire it up again.
Error is: Job middlewared.service/start
Setting up plugins (audit) 66/119.
After a few minutes middleware is not running press enter to open shell.
A little more trouble shooting today. It appears that there are problems with both of the latest installers for TrueNAS. I installed the latest Scale 24.10 ISO instead of 25.04. It installed and I am using the WebUI right now. I also tried to install Core 13.0 it also installed fine. So as of now both of the latest installers is broken in some form.
It can sometimes matter what tool you use to either mount or burn the image with. Sometimes just changing from say rufus to balenaEtcher for creating install USB for example, enables the same downloaded ISO to go from not working to working.
But glad you got it to work eventually with a different ISO. Seems like you know what you’re doing. Have fun
