Re: bare-metal restoration -- what should I know before I do it?

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:30:47 -0800 (PST), Mike_in_Nebraska
<mike_webb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Feb 18, 4:10 pm, Jim Behning SBS MVP
<jimbehn...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:06:04 -0800 (PST), Mike_in_Nebraska





<mike_w...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Feb 18, 2:34 pm, "Les Connor [SBS MVP]" <les.con...@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
My experience with BE on SBS is that you want a backup run from NTBackup
(not BE), and preferably SBS backup (so you can follow the documented
procedure).

By re-installing the OS and (presuming you're successfull with BE) restoring
from backup, the best you can hope for is to get your server back up and
running to the same condition it was in when the backup was made. Nothing
more. If you have another way to get back to that condition without relying
on BE, I'd personally seriously consider it.

If you can get running again, and your wish is a clean installation (but
save the data/domain) you can't go down the road of an OS backup/restore;
you need to swing this server.

If you can't swing it, but want a clean install, then you'll *Not* want to
restore the OS (including system state)from backup, only the data. That will
result in you needing to re-create the computer and user objects in the new
installation, and of course re-joining the client machines, and re-joining
mailboxes. Doable, but more work and more pressure on you than the swing
method.

--
Les Connor [SBS MVP]
________________________
Get the SBS BPA here:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940439/en-us

I appreciate your input, and would ask for a bit more advice.
(1) NTBackup: I never did one, so that avenue is out.
(2) Swing: I think you're talking about a Swing Migration.  I'd love
to, but don't have the luxury of another server.
(3) Rejoining mailboxes: This task I wou;dn't mind as your implication
is that it'd be better for my situation.  My concerns are:
 (a) I assume I restore the Information Store per the Symantec
Instructions?
 (b) What KB or MS article or blog entry/website would you (or
someone else) recommend for this procedure? Did a quick search at the
SBS Solution Center on the MS sites using  "mailbox", "rejoin" and
"link" as the first search term and didn't see and article that
pertained.

Mike

You do not need a dedicated machine to run a swing server. I install
virtual server on a workstation. Install a Server 2003, do the magic,
and delete the virtual server when I am done.

But it seems it is not relevant as you have already wiped out your
server.

I think I have called Symatec for $100 to answer a question. Or I have
gotten an answer over their web ask for help interface.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've never worked with a VS and now would be a bad time to learn.
=======
Well ... I've been here now since 0430 local trying to restore the
System State. It takes a long time to get to the point where I can do
this with Backup exec as I have to also install all the SP's and
hotfixes I had before I started, have a fully patched SQL Server 2000
and fully patched Backup Exec ver. 11d. Takes about 4+ hours per.
I get to the point in DSRM where I've restored the System State
successfully and rebooted .... and then the problems start. It won't
boot to the OS. I can se the WinSer 2003 logo and indicator lights
that the OS is loading, then it goes black for 5-8 seconds and reboots
from the beginning. I let it go 4 times and then got into Repair
mode. CHKDSK tells me I have one or more unrecoverable areas.
FIXBOOT and FIXMBR are succesful; but I get the same results. Can't
do a Full or Quick Format when installing the OS for some reason.
Tried doing a Format from the Repair mode and don't know if I was
successful as it only took a second or two. Rebooted - same result.
My guess is that it's the System State and not the disk.

Started a new thread to ask if NTBACKUP can use the Shadow Copy as a
work-around.

Any ideas?

MIke
When I did my repair a few weeks ago all I needed was the operating
system and the correct service pack. Since you are using BE you
probably had to get SQL running but might not have needed all the
updates.

Maybe you could boot off your SBS disk and try to do a repair. One
misadventure is your media does not have SP2 for the OS. I have seen a
few no boot OSs come back to life with a repair.

Are you saying that when you boot off the CD and you are presented all
the partitions, it will not let you delete the old partitions, create
new partitions and then format the new partitions?

Are you restoring just system state or everything except data? Is it
possible that when you restored system state it is looking for a whole
lot of files that are missing? Not system state files but program
files and other files. When I did my restore I did everything but data
just to get things to go quickly. I did data and Exchange after I had
a good bootable OS. So to be less vague I did not click Clientapps,
Company, Users and any other shared folders.

Another adventure is making sure you have the same drive letters as
you did before the mess. Easy to see what the old drive letters were
from that tape you catalogued in BE.

I do not know for sure but at one time those tapes made in BE were not
that proprietary. You could read them from NTBackup. Of course I could
be recalling incorrectly.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: problem restoring active directory to a domain controller
    ... # Jorge de Almeida Pinto # MVP Windows Server - Directory Services ... backed up the system state and all folders needed to reinstall AD. ... network in our shop and the backup is on a tape drive in our network. ... When we did the backup we started up the server using the restore directory ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Re: test environment windows 2003
    ... an authorative restore after the demote and system state restore. ... Remove the physical cable for the new pc and build the member server ... At a command prompt type in NTBACKUP and do a system state backup saving ... Master Operation roles (FSMO and the File Replication service). ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.active_directory)
  • Problems restoring Exchange database
    ... I'm attempting some D&R practice runs using SBS 2003 and VMWare server, ... I'm utilizing two methods of backup, one is the built-in SBS backup wizard ... Exchange mailbox store, the system state, and the companyweb databases. ... Few hours later, restore complete, reboot server, ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: SBS two adapter setup with Netopia Router. Help Save my weeked
    ... >> When you click OK on this message, the server restarts. ... >> are not able to start the server or restore the system state from backup. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Thoughts - bare metal disaster recovery
    ... Bare metal restore to recovery server following the latest SBS2003 Backup ... Les Connor [SBS Community Member - SBS MVP] ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
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