totalcomputer
asked on
Restoring a Windows 2003 Server from backup
I have had a hard disk fail in a Windows 2003 server that is also an AD controller.
I need to do a restore from a backup done with Windows Server 2003 backup.
I have a current backup of all the work data (documents etc) but haven't done a system state backup for over a month.
Can some one please explain (or point me to a document) the procedures for doing a full restore from a backup to an new empty disk?
I will do a full restore of the older backup first with the system state etc and then restore the documents over the top of that. However, I am not familiar with how I should start the process.
Also, the server is in a domain with multiple servers (inc multiple ad controllers), so am I correct that if I restore with the old data, the active directory will automatically update off one of the other AD servers, or will this machine having an older version screw things up?
Thanks for your assistance.
Andrew
I need to do a restore from a backup done with Windows Server 2003 backup.
I have a current backup of all the work data (documents etc) but haven't done a system state backup for over a month.
Can some one please explain (or point me to a document) the procedures for doing a full restore from a backup to an new empty disk?
I will do a full restore of the older backup first with the system state etc and then restore the documents over the top of that. However, I am not familiar with how I should start the process.
Also, the server is in a domain with multiple servers (inc multiple ad controllers), so am I correct that if I restore with the old data, the active directory will automatically update off one of the other AD servers, or will this machine having an older version screw things up?
Thanks for your assistance.
Andrew
ASKER
I did the original backup with NTbackup in Windows 2003, selecting to backup all files and the system state.
totalcomputer
Then you should be fine using a standard restore, including system state and all files
Cheers
JamesDS
Then you should be fine using a standard restore, including system state and all files
Cheers
JamesDS
ASKER
So should I first install Windows Server 2003 in the new hard disk into the same place as it was on the old disk and do a restore over its self?
If so, do I need to join the domain etc or just to a basic install with the same machine name and restore over that?
If so, do I need to join the domain etc or just to a basic install with the same machine name and restore over that?
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ASKER
Thanks - To get this straight, this is what I am going to do:
1. Install a fresh install of Windows 2003 server from the CD to the new hard disk drive, into the same directory that it was installed on the old server.
2. Boot off the new install.
3. Run the ntback restore function, restoring all data over the top of the new installation that I am currently running.
4. Reboot the server off the lan to make sure it all comes up OK.
5. Attach the server to the lan and allow it to refresh the active directory.
Does this sound like a plan?
Thanks!
Andrew
1. Install a fresh install of Windows 2003 server from the CD to the new hard disk drive, into the same directory that it was installed on the old server.
2. Boot off the new install.
3. Run the ntback restore function, restoring all data over the top of the new installation that I am currently running.
4. Reboot the server off the lan to make sure it all comes up OK.
5. Attach the server to the lan and allow it to refresh the active directory.
Does this sound like a plan?
Thanks!
Andrew
totalcomputer
Sounds good to me :)
IF the AD fails to come back then you may need to do a DCPROMO /forceremove and then DCPROMO again to add it back.
Cheers
JamesDS
Sounds good to me :)
IF the AD fails to come back then you may need to do a DCPROMO /forceremove and then DCPROMO again to add it back.
Cheers
JamesDS
ASKER
I am having trouble installing the fresh install to the same location as the last one. The last one was installed to C:\WINNT (as it was originally a Windows 2000 server that was later upgraded to Windows 2003) and Windows Server 2003 automatically installs to C:\Windows. Do you know a way to over ride this?
ASKER
I found the following KB article to the alternate directory question - its pretty crappy!
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811944&product=winsvr2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811944&product=winsvr2003
totalcomputer
it shouldn't matter as everything will be overwritten by the restore anyway and everything will be pointing to \winnt.
You will be able to delete the \windows directory afterwards
Cheers
JamesDS
it shouldn't matter as everything will be overwritten by the restore anyway and everything will be pointing to \winnt.
You will be able to delete the \windows directory afterwards
Cheers
JamesDS
ASKER
The restore seems to have gone through OK - Thanks!
When I try to connect to the server from a workstation using its logical name EG \\servername\share$, I get the error "\\servername is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Logon Failure: The target account name is incorrect."
If I connect with the IP address is goes through OK.
I tried to remove active directory on the server and I received the same message, "logon failure: the target account name is inncorrect".
I first tried dcpromo /forceremove and it came up with a box that I could only use /anser or /adv so I ran it without the forceremove to get the error above.
Do you have any suggestions?
When I try to connect to the server from a workstation using its logical name EG \\servername\share$, I get the error "\\servername is not accessible. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Logon Failure: The target account name is incorrect."
If I connect with the IP address is goes through OK.
I tried to remove active directory on the server and I received the same message, "logon failure: the target account name is inncorrect".
I first tried dcpromo /forceremove and it came up with a box that I could only use /anser or /adv so I ran it without the forceremove to get the error above.
Do you have any suggestions?
ASKER
I have gotten over the above problem with KB article 288167.
I needed to use the netdom tool to reset the secure channels between this server and the PDC.
This seems to have worked and everything appears to function OK. I did not seem to have needed to do a dcpromo demotion and promotion over agian in the end.
Thanks again for your invaluable assistance.
Andrew
I needed to use the netdom tool to reset the secure channels between this server and the PDC.
This seems to have worked and everything appears to function OK. I did not seem to have needed to do a dcpromo demotion and promotion over agian in the end.
Thanks again for your invaluable assistance.
Andrew
totalcomputer
Welcome, glad I could help
Cheers
JamesDS
Welcome, glad I could help
Cheers
JamesDS
OK, you are correct, restore the server and then restore the documents.
Unles you do an "authoritative" restore then yes, the other AD domain controllers will replicate the latest information over the top of the restored server.
To tell you how to start the process you will need to tell us what backup tool you are using!
Cheers
JamesDS