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Michael McGuire
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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??
DellInstallationWindows Server 2008

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John

8/22/2022 - Mon
Radhakrishnan

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
John

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.
Michael McGuire

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

ASKER
System will not boot to safe mode
John

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

ASKER
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
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Radhakrishnan

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Michael McGuire

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

Can you run SFC to correct the issues?
Michael McGuire

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

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

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

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

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I can attempt another normal reboot now and see what happens
John

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

Hi,

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

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

ASKER
Would a check disk help?
Radhakrishnan

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
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Michael McGuire

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That command just opens up a folder
Michael McGuire

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got jet database error
Michael McGuire

ASKER
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
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Radhakrishnan

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Radhakrishnan

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

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

ASKER
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
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Michael McGuire

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

So it is now open and you can proceed.
Michael McGuire

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

Thanks