Hi, Hopefully someone can help me 
Firstly, im trying to install windows server 2008 R2 Enterprise. I have found that the issues i am facing are big with windows 7 too.
I have a HP ProLiant ML350 G4 tower, 2GB RAM and upgraded to 4GB when bought. PCI RAID controller and CDROM, FLOPPY drives. I have removed the FLOPPY drive and replace the CDROM drive with a DVD-RW drive.
So, usually i install windows using USB, ive never really faced any real issues doing it this way, however on this paticular maching i am receiving an error when booting which just displays a "J" and goes no further.
I have tried formatting the USB drive in filesystems FAT16LBA FAT16CHS FAT32LBA FAT32CHS all with no luck. Searched around and came to the conclusion this was boot image related....
so, as a result i turned to the DVD drive, copied the installation media to a DVD-RW and also tried a DVD-R (at 4x write speed). However i am now facing another rather annoying problem
Im getting stuck on "Expanding windows files 0%). Sometimes it moves to 1 and 2 but it takes AGES. I have tired removing RAM, tried different DIMM configuration, removed all hardware such as NICs, FLOPPY and even PCI RAID controller to no avail. I have tried resetting the CMOS, disabled hyper-threading in the BIOS etc with no luck.
Now, i dont even get that far, i now get stuck at the initial startup screen when windows is loading the setup "copying files" hangs and goes no further. Took all RAM out except for 1 stick (1GB), no luck. Tired different SCSI drives in different slots, no luck.
So, where to from here? i spent my WHOLE saturday on this and will do the same thing tommorow until i can sort it. ANY ideas?
Even for the USB install?
Thanks for taking the time read guys!