Hello I don't think this has anything to do with the server. There is no BIOS setting or any other configuration I can think of that would cause the system to boot from Linux but not Windows. This is likely a driver issue with the Windows CD/DVD. There is some piece of hardware that it is trying to load a driver for. I would suggest disconnecting external USB drives, addon PCI cards, and any other devices that are not required. Thanks
trying to upgrade the hdd and reinstall server 08 r2  windows has been taking for ever to boot up. Machine starts up goes to boot off disc, screens black, disc spins, reads, then machine reboots itself.  Machine will boot off linux install discs but nothing with windows on it. C drive still works but super slow boot up  any ideas?   
PoweEdge 2900 won't boot of Windows disc's