System restore

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:40

When restoring a whole system from tape onto a fresh server, do I totally hotfix the new, fresh target server, or do I just install it upto the same Service Pack as the backed up server and let the restore sort out the hotfixes? (then run windows update once restored)

I'm restoring the damaged server to a new VM.

Its been years since I had to do a full system restore, and I'm a bit clueless.

Cheers

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:42

You are going to have issues restoring system state from physical hardware to a VM.

In theory, same SP level and ideally same patches but you can get away with just the SP. Exchange if it is included might have a bit of a hissy fit but other than that your biggest headache will be system state. Read - Disk Controller indifference.

If it's VM to VM then you should be laughing.

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:45

Hmmm, so looks like I'll have to find simular hardware to restore to then.

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:46

Yeah.

If you are feeling brave you go go for it and then do an OS repair and go from there but it is DAMN MESSY.

Similar hardware, focusing on the Disk Controller.

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:47

Well I got nothing to lose, as i've spent days now trying to get the original server working properly. Restoring is the last ditch effort.

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:50

I've already tried doing a system restore over the top of the existing damaged OS, but that didnt work, the system state doesnt restore properly, i think there's something fundementally wrong with the OS files so it's not even letting me overright properly. As before when I've done this, you get prompted something like "System has been restored, please restart" But Im getting nothing.

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:51

Is it a Domain Controller?

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:51

No, its one half of a load balanced iis server. So has lots of iis setting and stuff (tomcat etc).

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:54

What backup software you using?

I am assuming you have base built the server on the same hardware, brought it up the the right patch level then dumped System State onto it?

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:54

Arcserve

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:55

What version?

And is your IIS Metabase not independent of your system state? Should be a VSS writer no?

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:58

The story is, it crashed at 2am one night last week. After a couple of cold boots it eventually did a chkdsk for about 5hrs. After that many services dont work, I cant get properties up for the network adapters, services say they are `stopping` but they never actually stop. Its pretty much screwed, I presume chkdsk repaired some system files that are needed, but I couldnt see any logs on what it repaired/deleted.

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 18:59

Got a spare set of disks you can use to do a base build on and try restore what you need?

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 19:00

IIS metabase is saved on a share, it seems ok, but i'll also restore C:\windows once system state is restored.

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 19:01

Sin_Chase said:
Got a spare set of disks you can use to do a base build on and try restore what you need?

Yeah, thats an option, I can take out the current disks and use some new ones, we have plenty of spares.

Sin_Chase · 30 Nov 2009 at 19:02

If you only need the IIS metabase and some other bits and bobs back screw restoring system state, it's not worth it. Base build it with a fresh start. Name it the same, reset its Domain account (if you are in one) rejoin it back and off you go.

Is it even a good backup on tape?

Don't manually restore C:\Windows.

System files that are needed will be handled by a system state restore.

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 19:07

I might go back to the week before, see if I have more luck.

It has lots of other bits installed, apache, coldfusion and some other stuff that I have no clue what it does.

Lanz · 30 Nov 2009 at 19:07

Thanks for the ideas, I'm going home now, will try some of these tomorrow.

cheers