Question

Server2k3 Cloned HD Does Not Boot

Asked by: ctsmequon

Hello-

I have an aging Dell PowerEdge 830 that has 12GB on the system drive. The data partition is only 40GB, so I am in the process of moving the both partitions to a new HD.

This process is complicated by the concept that the original HD partions are dynamic. These are being mirrored to a second HD in a software-based pseudo RAID1 configuration.

In researching this issue, I have found that Easeus Partition Master is supposed to be good at cloning from a dynamic partition to a basic partition. It is my intention to leave the partition in a basic configuration after this process is completed and rely on other backup methods.

I performed the disk cloning process on the OS partition with no problems. I then proceeded to physically disconnect the old HDs and turn off the SATA ports in the BIOS, leaving only the new HD and its SATA port connected and active.

Upon booting the server, the BIOS runs through its normal boot options, coming to the  Broadcom Netxtreme Ethernet Boot Agent, the Adaptec SCSI BIOS, and finally the Server Management Configuration Utility, at which point the boot process hangs. The Windows splash screen is never displayed. The server appears to completely ignore the HD with the cloned boot image on it.

The system will still boot the old HDs and bootable CDs with no problems.

Using a utility disc, I have managed to verify the HKLM/System/MountedDevices key in the registry properly reflects the C drive letter for this drive. I have also performed the fixmbr, fixboot, and bootcfg /rebuild utilities from the Windows boot disc recovery mode.

I am at a loss to understand what could be preventing my cloned image from booting. I look forward to any suggestions or requests for more information.

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Asked On
2009-11-04 at 19:53:34ID24873438
Tags

Windows Small Business Server 2003

,

EASEUS Partition Master 4.0.1 Server Edition

Topics

Disk Partition Tools

,

SBS Small Business Server

,

Computer Hard Drives

Participating Experts
4
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: leewPosted on 2009-11-04 at 20:04:30ID: 25746679

I would suggest booting to the Recovery Console and running Fixboot and fixmbr - I've seen a problem that this sounds similar to where the boot configuration is pointing to the wrong disk/partition and if memory serves, one of those fix commands resolved the issue.

 

by: mboppePosted on 2009-11-04 at 20:15:52ID: 25746726

when you are cloning did you do sysprep and allocate a new SID.

 

by: leewPosted on 2009-11-04 at 20:20:13ID: 25746746

That shouldn't be needed (or done) if imaging to the same box for the purposes of enlarging storage.

 

by: wolfcamelPosted on 2009-11-04 at 22:41:30ID: 25747212

do a chkdsk /r after cloning

 

by: noxchoPosted on 2009-11-05 at 01:16:00ID: 25747783

Does it boot if you reconnect the original drive? Stop trying FIX MBR and FIX BOOT till we get some additional info. I have done similar migration without any problem in past and the only problem I had was direct cloning of dynamic drive with same Easeus.

 

by: ctsmequonPosted on 2009-11-05 at 07:00:36ID: 25750132

Thank you for the prompt responses.

Leew - As I mentioned in the second last paragraph of my original message: "I have also performed the fixmbr, fixboot, and bootcfg /rebuild utilities from the Windows boot disc recovery mode." Please let me know what further details I can provide you on these activities. I was expecting these to have worked.

Mboppe - I agree with Leew that these should not be necessary since this clone is being used in a one-to-one hard drive transfer setting, not as an image for multiple PC distribution. Can you think of a reason that this is not true? I'm willing to try it, but have not yet at this time.

Wolfcamel - I have not tried chkdsk /r on this disk. Each time I ran the clone process, it has presented me with no errors. However, I can certainly try this option.

Noxcho - As I mentioned in the third last paragraph of my original post: "The system will still boot the old HDs and bootable CDs with no problems." Please let me know what further information I can provide on this issue. Also, what was your experience with Easeus and cloning dynamic drives and how did you resolve it?

Thanks again for all your help. I look forward to your further responses.

 

by: noxchoPosted on 2009-11-05 at 07:04:33ID: 25750178

My experience was that dynamic drive cloned with Easeus did not boot. Missing HDD error all the time.
Tried all I could and gave up. Went via Backup & Recovery process. Used our company license of Paragon Drive Backup 9 to create backup image of working dynamic drives to network share. Then restored to second Basic HDD. Changed the boot order in BIOS and that booted. Removed the backup source drive and it worked again.

 

by: ctsmequonPosted on 2009-11-19 at 11:56:21ID: 25864281

Sorry for the delay on this one. The resolution was a newer version of Easeus Partition Master. The problem had to do with they way Dell servers apparently use a hidden EISA partition. Anyway, the newer version of Easeus worked with no problems. Thanks for all the help!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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