Emergency Repair Disk

[TenSNut]

Hi,

Does anyone know if the ERD is specific to one computer. I created serveral of them and labeled them all. But there is one server that crashed and I did not create a ERD disk. Can I use a ERD that was created on another server?
I am trying to recover a server that won't boot up anymore.

Thanks,

Rmon

 

[RamasamyRathnam]

Hi,

IMHO, it is better not to swap ER disks.
They contain the user accounts and registry information.
This link may help you

http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=284

This is my suggestion:

1. Try to access the defective hard disk by using it in
another NT box as an additional hard disk

or

by booting from a DOS floppy and running NTFSDOS in the
defective server.(assuming you have NTFS)

2. Try to access WINNT\repair directory.

3. If you are able to copy the contents of
this directory to a floppy, then this floppy
can be used as a ERD to revive the defective server.

4. If you still have to use another ERD (from another
system), I think "inspect boot sector" and "inspect
startup environment" should be possible.
I have not tried point 4, so can some one opine?


Regards

Ram

 

[RamasamyRathnam]

Hi,

These links should be able to give you more
information.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q158866

How to Manually Create an Emergency Repair Disk

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q119467

How to Create a Bootable Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition


Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - Q238359
Differences Between Manual and Fast Repair in Windows


Regards,

 

[TenSNut]

THanks Ram,

The server is not a DC just a stand alone. Does that still matter?

Thanks,
Rmon

 

[RamasamyRathnam]

Hi Rmon,

I think it still matters. I know some files
are common. But we are not doing a file copy
during the restore process. Only someone
who has a good knowledge of the ERD restore
process can advise on this.


The ERD will overwrite some files in your hard disk.

The simplest thing what you could do is
make a DOS booting floppy
download NTFSDOS from (freeware)

http://members.tripod.ca/shaohz/download.html

This will fit into a floppy.
After booting from DOS, run NTFSDOS.

If you can see the WINNT/repair directory,
you will be able to copy the directory and make
an ERD. (please check the microsoft bulletin Q158866.)

You can also add the hard disk to a
NT/win 2k/win 2k professional system and try to
create an ERD.


Regards,

Ram