Windows Server 2003 Startup Troubleshooting Utilities

When a Windows Server 2003 system has startup issues, a few different startup options can be used to troubleshoot the problem. On every server, when the boot loader is shown, the administrator can choose to start the server in Safe mode. This can be a command-prompt window or a graphical interface that can be used to disable a driver or reconfigure a software setting. Other options include enabling Windows to boot up into a recovery console or using a new service called Emergency Management Services. Each of the services or startup options just mentioned does not back up the server but may require previous configuration information to make its services available when recovery is necessary.

Recovery Console

The Recovery Console provides an alternative bootup method when Safe mode and normal boot does not work. The Recovery Console can be installed after the operating system has already been loaded, or it can be called while booting a system from the Windows Server 2003 setup CD.

To install the Recovery Console on an existing system, follow these steps:

1.	Log on to the desired server using an account with Local Administrator access.
2.	Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD in the local CD-ROM drive.
3.	Type cmd.exe in the Start, Run dialog box and click OK to open a command prompt.
4.	Change the drive focus in the command prompt to the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive.
5.	Change the directory to the I386 directory.
6.	Type winnt32.exe /cmdcons and press Enter. This command will start the Recovery Console setup, as shown in Figure 32.7. Figure 32.7. Installing the Recovery Console.
7.	Click Yes to begin the installation of the Recovery Console. After the installation is finished, click OK. When the installation is complete, the boot.ini file will contain an option to boot into the Recovery Console when the system is starting up.

Emergency Management Services Console Redirection

Windows Server 2003 enables administrators to remotely manage or troubleshoot a system when normal operating system functionality is not available. Using out-of-band connections, such as a serial COM port, information can be redirected to other servers to resolve startup or operating system problems. Emergency Management Services can be used when physical access to a server is not available, and remote administrative options through network connections are not working properly.

Some hardware requirements must be met before Emergency Management Services console redirection can be used. For example, the system motherboard BIOS must support Serial Port Console Redirection (SPCR). Emergency Management Services is enabled and installed on servers during operating system installation if the motherboard supports SPCR. Refer to the Windows Server 2003 Help and Support for overview information.