Yes, 2012 needs drivers, and the only way to get them out of the EXE is to run the EXE to extract the contents (or use some other extraction tool). If you don't have a Windows machine (and/or you are not able to do it from a Linux/Mac box), don't have a Windows virtual machine you could extract it in, AND you have access to Server 2008 (non-R2), then you can install with that long enough to get the driver extracted, as the PERC 4 drivers are native to 2008 (but not later versions). Since Dell does not support 2012 on the 8G servers, you will need to use the Server 2008 R2 drivers:[URL] (you need the 'hard drive' version) The onboard RAID controller for the 1850 (PERC 4e/Si) does NOT support non-RAID, so in order to use the disks individually, you would need to set up each disk as a single-disk RAID 0.  An alternative would be to disable RAID altogether, which uses only the SCSI controller onboard.  The RAID cache will no longer be usable with RAID disabled though. You configure RAID in the CTRL-M utility (during POST).  You disable RAID in the BIOS Setup (F2), under Integrated Devices (CTRL-M will no longer be accessible when disabled - you will use CTRL-A to see the disks). 
Hi guys, I have a Poweredge 1850 which I brought cheap from ebay, I use it abit like a NAS to free up space on my iMac and to stream movies/music to my computer or via DLNA to my TV's and PS3.  I currently am running Ubuntu which I kind of like/dislike, I also like to use my server as abit of a play toy and project as I like to try things, like using a webcam as a cctv camera which I can access when im out etc.  I also use it to connect via ftp to and run webpages etc.  Now you know how I like to play with my server please can you help :(  I want to try a new OS, I dont mind wipeing and starting again as I can backup to a external HDD.  I have a copy of Windows Server 2012 with I think 30 days free and if I like will activate it.  When I boot from CD I get to the bit where it asks for a installation location but I cant find any disks to select, I know I most probably have to install drivers which I have tried (whether they are the right ones or not I dont know) my problem is they are .exe which I can't load as im on my mac :(  - I didnt have this problem locating drives when I installed Ubuntu, that find them no problem. Is there also a way to do all this via VNC which I use to remote into my server as I have it located in my garage.  Its abit of an effort to bring it inside plus she's rather noisy.  Another quick one, could some one run me through how to setup my drives in the bios as I don't want to use them in Raid, I'd rather just have them as two drives rather than one with it backing up to the other one.  Would be very grateful if you could help me with my "little" project (Maybe we could both remote in and talk via skype and do it together :D )  Kind Regards  PriestyUK
Poweredge 1850 - Windows Server 2012 Install