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Hard disk problem with Server 2003

I have taken on a new customer that has a Windows 2003 Server running on a Dell PowerEdge. I found out from the customer that they did not go with a disk mirroring option and of course, the drive has started to fail. It's a brand new server with an 80GB serial ATA drive. I went down to the local computer parts source, picked up another SATA 80GB drive and attempted to mirror the existing drive only to find out that even after scanning for bad tracks/sectors, I was only able to mirror the data partition and the boot partition would fail in the mirror process. Dell has sent the replacement drive so now their will be two 80GB drives mirrored but I'm wondering if there is a way to duplicate that information onto the new drive? I'm thinking that I'm going to have to document everything and start from scratch.

Is there another way? They do have Veritas Backup version 9.1 and I believe there is a way to recover from one of the tapes but I’ve never done that before. I know that it is backing up the entire drive C: and all of the data on drive D:
Any suggestions?

Irwin Santos

Starting from scratch is always the best in after the fact disaster recovery when no prevent solution in place.

However, if there was a backup, then that should be the right method to follow. Go to the Veritas menu, then search in Help "How to Restore"..the instructions should be there for you to follow.

Before you restore...backup what you can. Also, if you can record by hand whatever settings that you really need to assist you in restoration.

Hopefully, they have a full backup and it is current.

NJComputerNetworks

I would let the client know upfront that you are not responsible for the data. That you will do your best to recover the failing system, but can not be held responsible for lost data. Have this communication in writing.

I would agrree that you best action would be to perform a restore.

This is what I would do...

Install the new disk in the server. (remove the old one...it is a good idea not to mess up this disk as, you might have to put the system back to the way you found it... and try some other ideas.)

Also record what Operating system and service pack level the system is currently at...

In the most basic restore method, you would do this...
1) Install the Windows Os on the new hard drive. (name the server the same name and give the server the same IP)
2) make a D:\ volume the same size as the old one...
3) load Veritas backup software
4) Service pack the server to the same level the server that crashed was at....
5) insert the tape media containing the backup into the server
6) merge the tape using Veritas...
7) perform an INPLACE restore of the entire C:\ and system state data.

reboot...

hopefully the system comes back online.

Irwin Santos

@njcomputernetworks....good disclaimer "I would let the client know upfront that you are not responsible for the data. That you will do your best to recover the failing system, but can not be held responsible for lost data. Have this communication in writing."

Irwin Santos

@johnbowden...to clarify "Before you restore...backup what you can."

I meant to another tape so that you don't overwrite the "good" backup.

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Netman66

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johnbowden

ASKER

I had lots of problems ghosting the drive but I was finally able to get the drive imaged.
Thanks for the help