VPS SSD - Installing Windows Server with VirtIO

This guide covers:

• How to start installing the OS from your own ISO
• How to load hard drives using VirtIO
• How to set up the network connection
• Common issues
• Frequently asked questions

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Starting the OS installation from your own ISO

If you want to install Windows on a VPS SSD or dedicated server, you need your own ISO file with the installation media. If you have it ready, boot from it according to the guide VPS SSD – Connecting and booting from ISO.

After booting, proceed with the installation until you reach the point where you can choose the installation type. Here, select Custom (Vlastní).

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Managing hard drives with VirtIO

If no drives appear in the Windows installation destination list, follow these steps:

1. In the customer administration, attach VirtIO.
2. Switch back to the installation and click the Load driver button.
3. Click the Browse button and go to the /viostor folder.
4. Locate the driver according to the operating system.
5. On the next screen, set up the required disk partitions.

After partitioning the disks: 

1. In the customer administration, disconnect VirtIO and reconnect the Windows ISO (without restarting). 
2. In the installation, press the Refresh button.
3. Select the disk where you want to install the system and continue with the Next button.

After the installation is complete, set a password for the Administrator user and log in.

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Network connection

Setting up the network connection consists of updating the network card driver and setting up the network connection.

Updating the network card driver

Update the network card driver using VirtIO as follows:

1. In the customer administration, attach VirtIO.
2. Open the Device Manager application.
3. Select the Ethernet Controller item that has a yellow exclamation mark.
4. Click Update Driver Software and choose manual installation.

Find the driver on the connected disk, typically D:\, and install it.

Setting up the network connection

Complete the network connection by manually setting: 

• static IP addresses, 
• network mask, 
• default gateway,
• DNS servers. 

You can find this information in the customer administration in the VPS detail, or in the e-mail about VPS setup.

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Common issues

Common Windows installation errors on VPS SSD include:

• Windows cannot be installed on a disk partition

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Frequently asked questions