Problem running Microsoft apps and Windows functions after reinstall of Windows Server 2003.
I added a drive to my server Friday, and attempted to rebuild the RAID array (with help from Dell tech support). The rebuild failed, at which point we had to build a new RAID array, wiping all of my data. After the new array was built, I had to reinstall Server 2003 Standard Edition, SP 1. I then restored my backup, including system state. The server was on SP 2 when it was backed up. During the restore, I got several prompts stating that I was overwriting system files with more recent versions, and asking if I wanted to restore the original files. I said No to all of the prompts. At the end of the restore, I was prompted to reboot, and on reboot, Windows wouldn't open. I then reinstalled Server 2003, SP1, and this time, said Yes to all of the prompts. After restore and reboot, Windows is now able to open.
The problem I'm having is that almost all Windows functions and Microsoft apps won't work. IE, Windows Explorer, all Office products, all give the message:
"Runtime error!
Program: XXX
This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way."
Third party apps seem to work fine - PC Anywhere, our accounting software. And I do have internet connectivity, even though IE won't run. But I need the rest of my functionality.
I suspect this still has to do with system files, and with the conflict between SP1 and SP2. I tried uninstalling SP2, which worked, and I'm now showing as being SP1. And I now get a prompt to install updates (I can't go to Microsoft Updates, because IE's not working, so I have to just wait for the update prompt in the System Tray), which includes a ton of security updates, as well as SP2, and I downloaded them, but they all fail to install.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
The problem I'm having is that almost all Windows functions and Microsoft apps won't work. IE, Windows Explorer, all Office products, all give the message:
"Runtime error!
Program: XXX
This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way."
Third party apps seem to work fine - PC Anywhere, our accounting software. And I do have internet connectivity, even though IE won't run. But I need the rest of my functionality.
I suspect this still has to do with system files, and with the conflict between SP1 and SP2. I tried uninstalling SP2, which worked, and I'm now showing as being SP1. And I now get a prompt to install updates (I can't go to Microsoft Updates, because IE's not working, so I have to just wait for the update prompt in the System Tray), which includes a ton of security updates, as well as SP2, and I downloaded them, but they all fail to install.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
ASKER
bkellyboulderit:
Do I need to worry about any of the other server updates, or just SP2?
Do I need to worry about any of the other server updates, or just SP2?
I don't believe you need to worry about the other updates. The main thing is that the SP is the same.
It's best to have the same driver levels for the RAID drivers (if possible).
You may have some minor issues afterwards, but all in all this works well. I (lots o people) have restored even DC's with NTBACKUP successfully like this.
It's best to have the same driver levels for the RAID drivers (if possible).
You may have some minor issues afterwards, but all in all this works well. I (lots o people) have restored even DC's with NTBACKUP successfully like this.
ASKER
Not sure what you mean by the same driver levels for RAID (I'm a bit of a novice at a lot of this). I had RAID 1 (I think) before all of this, with 1 drive and 1 redundant drive. When I went to install a third drive to increase my space, I was told by the techs at Dell that we'd have to switch to a RAID 5. I believe that's what I have now, so it's not the same as when the backup was created.
One further question - I'll have to reuse the same backup that I started with, correct? (I have users entering data already, to make up for the lost weekend.) Otherwise, if I make a new backup before beginning this process, I'll be backing up messed-up system files, right?
One further question - I'll have to reuse the same backup that I started with, correct? (I have users entering data already, to make up for the lost weekend.) Otherwise, if I make a new backup before beginning this process, I'll be backing up messed-up system files, right?
correct. use the older backup that has the good stuff on it, but first backup your existing data first, and then restore the user data files only on that newer backup after restoring your server with the correct backup. That way you don't lose the stuff they just did.
The raid level (1 or 5) is not so important. Just the raid software (if possible). Otherwise, don't worry about it, because that's all you can do.
SO, restore good backup first then restore only the user data that's changed since then.
The raid level (1 or 5) is not so important. Just the raid software (if possible). Otherwise, don't worry about it, because that's all you can do.
SO, restore good backup first then restore only the user data that's changed since then.
ASKER
OK, I tried that, and it didn't work. First try - restored O/S, manually set partitions to match what I had before (using Disc Management), manually updated to SP 2 (using the downloaded file from MS KB), and all that seemed to work fine - O/S was working, and it showed as SP 2. Then I restored my backup - C:, D: and System State, choosing to replace duplicated files. After restore & reboot, Windows couldn't open up - got error stating that ntoskrnl.exe was missing. (This happened before, too.)
Second try - same as before until restoring backup. This time, chose to keep duplcated files, instead of replacing them. I still got a message during restore that I had overwritten a system file with a newer version, and I needed to put in the SP 1 disc to restore the original file (this happened on the first try, too). Put in the Server 2003 disc with SP 1, and that seemed to take care of it, but I got no positive messages stating that. After restore, Windows can open up, but I'm in the same situation as before - no IE, no Windows Explorer, no Office programs. Get Runtime error when I try any of them.
Everything seems to work fine until the restore. I could try restoring without including the System State, I suppose, but then NONE of my programs would work without reinstalling, and I'm not sure I have all of the disks from the previous IT guy. And I don't know what other problems it might cause to not restore the System State.
Thanks.
Second try - same as before until restoring backup. This time, chose to keep duplcated files, instead of replacing them. I still got a message during restore that I had overwritten a system file with a newer version, and I needed to put in the SP 1 disc to restore the original file (this happened on the first try, too). Put in the Server 2003 disc with SP 1, and that seemed to take care of it, but I got no positive messages stating that. After restore, Windows can open up, but I'm in the same situation as before - no IE, no Windows Explorer, no Office programs. Get Runtime error when I try any of them.
Everything seems to work fine until the restore. I could try restoring without including the System State, I suppose, but then NONE of my programs would work without reinstalling, and I'm not sure I have all of the disks from the previous IT guy. And I don't know what other problems it might cause to not restore the System State.
Thanks.
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ASKER
Good deal. That option - replacing only files that are older than the version that has been backed up - is the only one that I haven't tried yet. I've tried replacing none, and replacing all. I'll give it a try again this afternoon, and let you know how it works.
Either way, thanks again for your help with this.
Either way, thanks again for your help with this.
ASKER
bkellyboulderit:
I'd like to verify this sequence with you:
1. Reinstall the O/S
2. Get my partitions to match what they were before
3. Install SP 2 again
4. Change the options for NT Backup mentioned in the article
5. Then do my data restore.
Does that sound right?
I'd like to verify this sequence with you:
1. Reinstall the O/S
2. Get my partitions to match what they were before
3. Install SP 2 again
4. Change the options for NT Backup mentioned in the article
5. Then do my data restore.
Does that sound right?
Yes. I believe the options in the backup were you're only real obstacle.
BTW, Remember to also backup the user files that have changed since you did this, and restore them after the server restore works.
Curious, how well was the server running before all this happened? Was ok?
BTW, Remember to also backup the user files that have changed since you did this, and restore them after the server restore works.
Curious, how well was the server running before all this happened? Was ok?
ASKER
Well, luckily (in a weird way), since only a few applications are working right now, the only app I'll probably have to worry about backing up before I start this whole process is our Accounting application. That's the only one that's being used today by my users. (However, last night I backed up the Accounting app before retrying the whole process, and when I was done, I tried restoring it, and it didn't work. I'm HOPING that that has something to do with the problems, and that if I back up, and this time the process works, that the restore of the Accounting app will work, too. Otherwise, lots of manual entry.)
And the server was working fine before all of this. Which makes it more frustrating. The only reason for all of this is that I wanted to add some drive space. And I found out from the Dell tech AFTER I had begun the rebuild of my RAID array that I couldn't add space to my C drive, which was maddening, but the way things turned out, I am able to increase C (It had less than 1/2 a gig of space left). Now I just have to get the server to work. : )
And the server was working fine before all of this. Which makes it more frustrating. The only reason for all of this is that I wanted to add some drive space. And I found out from the Dell tech AFTER I had begun the rebuild of my RAID array that I couldn't add space to my C drive, which was maddening, but the way things turned out, I am able to increase C (It had less than 1/2 a gig of space left). Now I just have to get the server to work. : )
ASKER
Thanks so much for your help, bkellyboulderit.
Restore went great, and everything appears normal. It looks like we're back in business.
Thanks again.
Restore went great, and everything appears normal. It looks like we're back in business.
Thanks again.
Yeah!
In this case, bring the OS to SP2 before you restore.