OK, I am stumped...
I recently set up an Ubuntu Server on an old SS4200-E; since it is completely headless (no way all all to connect a display, no console port, nothing), I installed Ubuntu Server 12.04 on a different system, then moved the hard drive to the SS4200.
Here's the odd thing--when I installed the server (core + openSSH) on an old Deskstar 500G drive, the system booted fine, came up -- and I am able to SSH to it.
I then installed the server (exact same options) on a Caviar Black 1TB -- and it doesn't boot. I see disk activity, then nothing. Does not respond to Pings, can't SSH.
I moved the drive back to my build system -- first it said the ELF header was smaller than expected. I reinstalled, tried again -- no joy. Moved it back, it was stuck at the grub boot screen.
I did the fix at this site, and on the build system it boots immediately. Reinstall in the SS4200; no joy again.
Am I doing something wrong?