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Dell Server

Server is not booting up, it just keeps rebooting. I also cannot run a repair because it hangs during the repair. Probably damaged registry ans system files. Worse case scenario, what if i install a frest copy of Windows without formatting can i access the data. Please help

HyperAdvisor

Try installing a fresh copy in a new folder, something link "c:\windows2"

This will at least give you access to the files on the disk

HyperAdvisor

once you have installed the second OS you can install your backup software and restore from backup, if you have no backup, try installing a third OS in "C:\Windows3"

When thats running, boot up to OS "C:\Windows2" and copy the files from your original OS to "C:\Windows3"

I've done this with NT3.51 and Windows 2000, not sure which OS you have or if it would work on 2003/8 as I've never tried it, but if you have no backup its worth a go

Good Luck

Darius Ghassem

Run chkdsk /r seems like you have bad sectors on the hard drive this will allow you to fix the bad sectors and hopefully boot after this or run a repair

andrewmcc

If you have a boot cd/dvd like Bart or MS Dart, try and verify the current state of the drive.
I'd do as Dariusg suggests, do a chkdsk with /r, could also do a chkdsk /f /r and see if it will find and recover any data corruption.
Once done, try and image the drive before you do anything else, you want to aim to maintain the structure of the drive.
I'd image the drive twice to be sure, keep one image to work with and the second as backup.
Make sure you keep a clear eye on the suspect drive/s as you might have a power issue or failing kit.

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arnold

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