SBS 2008 R2 NICs not working properly - WE ARE DOWN - Help Please

Have you tried to restart the server with MS Services running only?

Go to run type msconfig enter go to services - hide all services at the bottom. disable all third party services then restart

yes.  no change

Has someone updated the NIC driver - Have a read from the two articles below

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/973243/the-default-gateway-is-missing-on-a-computer-that-is-running-windows-server-2008-or-windows-vista-after-the-computer-restarts-if-the-default-gateway-is-set-by-using-the-netsh-command

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2555789/blank-default-gateway-may-occur-after-configuring-static-ip-address-following-network-driver-upgrade-on-windows-7-and-server-2008-r2

thanks we have reviewed these articles previously.  we have done every possible thing to the NICs from completely uninstalling, installing a new card and updating drivers.  we have run HP PSP utility to update drivers as well.

if i do an ipconfig, nothing even shows up at all so something is hosed with the way sbs is working with nic

Are you viewing hidden devices as well in device manager?
Are all the MS services starting as expected?

yes all services are up.  the nics show in the device manager and say they are working properly.  the issues is sbs not really seeing that adapters.  i can configure the ip, subnet and dns but when i try to set the gateway, it keeps going blank and asks for a restart

First thing first, update the firmware and NIC driver if there are new ones.

Is there a reason why you're not using load balancing and fail-over on a dual NIC card?  Broadcom have a a great sotware that can team the two (BACS Broadcom teaming management software) and we've been using it for many years reliably.

Thanks wayne.  we have updated everything.  I understand the benefits of teaming and all of that.  we tried teaming and setting the ip info in the team adapter and the same issue happens.  we can set all the info but the gateway doesnt stay.  We split the team and tried to use one of the three nics individually just to get a network connection.  the hardware and drivers are all good from all diagnostics.  SBS just does not see the adapters properly.  thank you for your post .... it is much appreciated.

Are you having problem setting the gateway even under the teamed virtual NIC property?

I've had problems with Broadcom cards on servers where they were set for static IPs but acted like they were set for DHCP.  In one case I resolved it by reverting back to an older driver.  I'd give that a shot.

Yes.  We have configured these things in every way possible lol.  Have been at it for 24 hours.  it appears any adapter we try to set IPV4 settings for the gateway does not stay.  we have used netsh to clear everything, we have going into the registry to set default gateway, etc.

One thing, however, is you technically don't need a gateway to view the network or even do an ipconfig so i think it is something deeper

You may have seen this but thought I throw it out there:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/7337.default-gateway-missing-after-a-reboot.aspx

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/973243/the-default-gateway-is-missing-on-a-computer-that-is-running-windows-server-2008-or-windows-vista-after-the-computer-restarts-if-the-default-gateway-is-set-by-using-the-netsh-command

Seems like a few complaints on Server 2008 on this.

Which registry key did you mod?  This one is different than the one on MS article and worth a shot (please proceed with caution and always backup your reg key prior to mod).

HKLM/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/Tcpip/Parameters/Interfaces/%CLSID%

Check the DefaultGateway and DefaultGatewayMetric keys for issues. For example:

1. Remove any line feeds before the correct default gateway IP.
2. If the address is missing, add it manually.

Thank you wayne.  we have added the key and it does not appear to help

I know you're running a live system but after making the registry entry I normally restart the machine.  Sorry, I know you're technical Posae but just want to be sure.  This is probably best done after hours if possible.

no worries wayne!  at this point they are down so i have restarted it about 22 times since yesterday ;-)  i will do that and post back just to be sure.  I appreciate it

There must have been some changes made - this is abnormal.

Any updates applied before the restart...

no windows updates.  2 weeks ago we removed ESET avp and installed webroot secure anywhere and restarted. there were no issues at that time.  yesterday when the issue happended was the first restart since then.  I have since removed any trace of AVP.  It is abnormal which is why i am losing my mind lol.

All i need is neetwork connection so i can migrate everything off this server

This is SBS.  Use the wizards whenever they exist.  Have you run the "Fix my network" wizard in the SBS console under Network / connectivity?
SBS will nor support multiple NICs.

The two occasions where I have had this happen a simple reboot resolved, but obviously you have tried that.  You may have a ghost NIC.  If so you will need to remove it, add back in, and run the "connect to the Internet" wizard.  as mention you can only have 1 NIC.  If multiple NICs the others must be disabled, not just disconnected.

From a previous post of mine:
It is possible you may have a Ghost NIC. A Ghost NIC is a NIC that was installed, removed or disconnected, but may not have been properly removed as an active device.
To remove:
*Note: before performing the final steps you should locate and save to the disk a copy of the network adapter drivers.
Log in as an administrator
Open a command window (If Vista or newer you need to open “with elevated privileges” i.e. right click on CMD icon and choose “run as administrator”)
Run the following command:
  set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
Open the device manager management console (you can enter  in the command window ‘start devmgmt.msc’  to do so)
On the menu bar under “view” enable/check “show hidden devices”
The Ghost adapters may be grayed out, if so uninstall. If there are any NIC’s you know are no longer present, uninstall.
To do a complete clean up uninstall all network adapters, reboot, and reinstall your network adapter if not automatically discovered.

Microsoft now has a “FixIt” for this as well:  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269155

we were able to resolve on our own