Re: Server restarts at 3.00 am

Thanks Brian - it restarts dirty like the power was off, but it is only off
for a matter of seconds from the entries in the security logs. It could
indeed be a UPS problem, and we are working to eliminate that (first step to
pull the plug on the UPS and make sure it maintains power) but since the
shutdowns are at the same time give or take a few seconds, it seems more
likely to be software. There are no tasks starting anywhere near the
relevant time, and I'm afraid I lack the courage to change the time on an
operational server - I feel I could be unravelling the effects of that for
months!
It is a dual NIC server, so I could disable the internal network card
overnight - that might be worth trying. Unfortunately as is always the way,
the users are in the middle of a major audit and working all hours so access
is a problem (and of course reliability is paramount)

"Brian Cryer" wrote:

"PaulWilkie" <PaulWilkie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:B2C9010A-FB9C-4189-9C2D-952611C0C7C9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We have a server which restarts itself at 3.00 am every morning - it is on
a
UPS and there is no sign of external influence, UPS logs are clear and the
building is locked at night. Event logs are completely clear at the
relevant
times, except the security log which shows the normal pattern with a 3
minute
hiatus for the restart. There is nothing in Task Scheduler for this time,
but given the time I suspect an errant MS update. Anyone know where these
are queued? Or any other other bright ideas?

Once you've ruled out the UPS (see other posts), are you able to change the
time to say 2.50am and then watch what happens? I know its not quite the
same thing, but it might help.

When it comes back up does it ask for a reason for the restart? If it does
then it implies the restart was unexpected. If it doesn't then it implies
that Windows was shut down/restarted cleanly in which case I would hope
(could be wrong about this) that something would be logged to the system
event log indicating which process initiated the shutdown.

One other idea, does it restart if its disconnected from the network? or put
another way there may be nothing in the task scheduler but could there be
something on another pc that is causing it? (Although again I would expect
something in the event log.)

According to the event log are there any tasks that start shortly before
3am? For example exchange maintenance or backups? If so then does running
that same task during the day cause the same problem?

Otherwise out of ideas.

Please post back when you do find the cause.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Server restarts at 3.00 am
    ... We had a recurring shutdown as the NTbackup went over to verify. ... indeed be a UPS problem, and we are working to eliminate that (first step to ... When it comes back up does it ask for a reason for the restart? ... According to the event log are there any tasks that start shortly before ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Server restarts at 3.00 am
    ... UPS and there is no sign of external influence, UPS logs are clear and the ... There is nothing in Task Scheduler for this time, ... When it comes back up does it ask for a reason for the restart? ... According to the event log are there any tasks that start shortly before ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Why does Application_Start fire twice?
    ... tell you which routine called/caused the restart and then you can work from ... > but nothing is written to the event log about a problem. ... > dll', No symbols loaded. ... >>>I need to know why the Application_Start function fires twice when it ...
    (microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet)
  • Re: Continuing problems with event logs (Service Control Manager Logs)
    ... Terminal Services sent a start control ... Network Location Awareness entered running state ... the restart, is a w32time error (The time provider NtpClient cannot ... >> the event log goes back to normal. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.general)
  • Re: IIS Health Monitoring via ASP.NET
    ... Did asked your provider to give you the Event log of the server on suspected dates when the error occurred? ... I suspect that my ADO.NET calls to SQL Server have something to do with ... There is always a application restart when I ...
    (microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.aspnet)