Solved: Server 2008 r2 wont boot

Our Dell Server wont boot to the O/S (server 2008 r2). It get to the Server splash screen , but will just reboot again from there, seem to be in an endless look. I did boot the to Server installation disk and run the repair, but it didn't fix anything and if i don't boot to the disc it goes back to the reboot loop. Back in server 2003 there was a reapir install that you were able to run that would repair the installation and leave all the installs/config/setting in tact. Does server 2008 r2 have this or is there something else here i can try??

Hi,

Did you tried to boot into safe mode or DSRM(if it's a DC)?

Try this method to repair the boot files and see if it works?

https://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln167714/windows-server--how-to-repair-the-boot-files-in-windows-server-2008-or-2008-r2-if-the-server-wont-boot?lang=en

You said you ran the repair and it did not solve anything.

Can you boot to Safe Mode (F8) and run System File Checker?

Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator and run SFC /SCANNOW. Allow to complete and see if you can then restart in Normal Mode.

Let me try and boot to safe mode. Yes this is also a DC

System will not boot to safe mode

You need to back up the data and documents (if you have not already done so) and reinstall the server OS.

I have a daily backup that i run overnight. The O/S is installed on a separate RAID 1 set of HD's. Won't this overwrite everything and cause me to have to reinstall all my software and have to restore my Active Directory? There has to be another way to fix the boot? I will try the first suggestion from Radhark

OK I am booted up to DSRM. I logged in as the local administrator

Can you run SFC to correct the issues?

Do i just run that from command prompt now. what is the exact wording?

Ok I ran i and it said i found no errors.

When I look at the System Event viewer the latest entries state that it repaired system files

Then there is some other corruption in OS or maybe something corrupted in the disk file.

I can attempt another normal reboot now and see what happens

It might work if SFC made corrections. Let's hope.

Hi,

Before going for normal boot, you should have checked event logs for ntds corruption. Also an integrity check against ntds

Well it didn't work so i am back log onto DSRM. i can log at the event viewer

Would a check disk help?

Hi,

I would do an integrity check against the ntds.dit and make sure the database is OK.

Start>run>ntds utility. exe
Activate instance ntds
Files
Integrity

This will tell you about the db condition. If it fails or get jet database error, you may end up doing offline defragmentation or dcpromo

That command just opens up a folder

got jet database error

I believe I just fixed it. I put in my backup tape from Friday and just restored the system state. Everything booted backup as normal

OK.. I was typing from my phone before seeing ur update..
Glad to know it's working..

Thanks for the Help! Restore from System State is what ultimately worked. Thank God for Backups!!!!!!

Radhakrishnan R, first of all I thought i closed the question and assigned the points, something must of happened in my browser that didn't allow the closing and assigning of points. For that I apologize, but next please wait for my response before accusing me of wasting your time. I always stay engaged in my question and award points. I will close this shortly and award points

I object to the closing of this question (see my prior comment for explanation), so I can properly close it and award points

So it is now open and you can proceed.

Restoring the System State from my backup in DSRM was the solution to my problem