Single DC is dead, no backup - how to recover AD?

[flatfour]

Hi All

This is a test server, so its not the end of the world, but I'd just like to try and fix it rather than wipe and start again

Its a single DC that has never been backed up. I was in the process of installing and patching Veritas BExec 9.0 when I was left with the "Inaccessible boot device" BSOD.

I've tried all manner of repairs, replacing drivers etc but I can't get it to boot at all.

Is there a way, as I can still access the ntds.dit and registry hives (anything on the disk in fact), to recover my AD and 'import' it into a new build of Windows?

Or is everyone going to laugh at me?!

Cheers

flatfour

 

[longhair]

flatfour,
no clue if this would work, but could you take the drive out and slave it to a pc? reboot with the pc os and see if you can access the drive?
regards,
longhair

 

[flatfour]

hi longhair

bit more background - its a compaq proliant 3000 with a smart array-2dh controller and a raid 5 array. i can access anything i need to using BartPE and can copy any files i'd need to the network.

but i can't find anything on the web on what to do with the files once i've got them! all articles assume i have a backup....

flatfour