ACEPC AK1 for Windows Server Test

[catch11x2]

Hello All,

I just purchased an ACEPC AK1, because I wanted a small computer to run Windows Server (2016 or 2019) so that I can test out server features in my home lab (specifically LDAP directory). However, if I can't seem to load Windows Server 2016 or 2019. After I install the server OS, at next reboot I will encounter the error: "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. Stop Code: INACCESIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE."

Does anyone have any tips or can clarify my understanding on why the windows server os fails?

[witt]

Windows Server 2016 is not the factory version of ACEPC. ACEPC may provide drivers, but it will not provide support for systems installed by other means.
It is recommended that you install the factory system version, windows 10 Pro 2004

[dragonpoo]

I get witt's comment, but obviously catch11x2 is aware that Server isn't the official OS for the device. However, that shouldn't affect its ability to boot.

I personally haven't tried installing Windows Server on mine, but suspect you'll need to check the boot setting in the BIOS. Did you wipe the drive when you installed, or did you install to the same partition Windows was before? Or, did you connect a secondary drive and install to there? When you boot, can you find the bios setting to select a boot device?

[Gabe]

catch11x2,

If you can't ultimately get it working, and you installed it on the system drive in place of W10 Pro, I would try reinstalling Windows 10 Pro for the AK1 to determine whether the problem is the drive itself or some type of incompatibility issue with the Server version, or at least an incompatibility as it currently is anyway.

There shouldn't be an incompatibility, but in my 26 years with Windows I've seen odder things.

[dragonpoo]

...There shouldn't be an incompatibility, but in my 26 years with Windows I've seen odder things.

At first I was going to call you old, and then I realised I remember when Windows 95 hit as well. We've come a long way.

[Gabe]

At first I was going to call you old, and then I realised I remember when Windows 95 hit as well. We've come a long way.

Back when a 1.2GB hard drive was pretty darn big! LOL.

[dragonpoo]

@catch11x2,

All joking aside, lets get some information about how you set this up. INACCESIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE usually refers to a misconfiguration of your boot device, more normally seen on UEFI systems when the bios setting to select the boot drive doesn't match the BCD setting for where to boot from.

I'll go off the assumption that you installed Windows Server to the internal storage. I also don't have a AK1, just the GK3, but I'm hoping the menus are the same.

Check the BIOS: go to the Boot menu, make sure you're set up for UEFI (not Legacy or Dual). Make sure the Boot option is set to UEFI Hard Drive:Windows Boot Manager (PO: serialofyourdrive), then check the UEFI Hard Disk Drive BBS Priorities and make sure it's the same.

After booting, do you see a Windows logo, or does it immediately display the error? I hope it shows something from Windows before failing to the INACCESIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error. You could try getting into the recovery/troubleshooting mode through your install disk, and check your startup repair. Or you can check the BCD configuration once you get into the recovery mode, going to the command prompt.

[catch11x2]

Thank you everybody for your responses, they are very helpful!

I did end up resetting my AK1 to the provided default Windows 10 (thank you for the clear instructions and video).

A mistake with my approach I may have made is not clearing all the the data in all partitions (I only formated the largest partition). I felt uncomfortable doing this for all partitions, because in the back of my mind, I wanted a way back to Windows 10 for my AK1 just in case.

I'm also not too comfortable opening a mini-pc to perform hardware repair or replacements. So as a Windows Server solution I ended up buying a refurbished Optiplex 7010 for only $99! I will be much more comfortable breaking and re-breaking the optiplex because I have spare parts and I feel the risk is low.

I love my little AK1, and it will now be used as a Windows 10 node in my home lab. It's a very solid little machine!

[Gabe]

catch11x2,

You may very well be right about the partition thing being the cause. I can understand the hesitance regarding wanting to be able to go back in case anything went wrong, though.

Whatever the case, I'm just glad you were able to get the original system back on and that you still do have a use for it.

And an Optiplex 7010 for $99? Wow. That's a steal, no doubt!