Server 2003 SP2 - Partition vanishes

We have a situation that is very strange and a royal pain. This has happened
twice now with the last 2 months. Drive D goes away. This time it happened
during/after the required reboot after installing the security updates from
Microsoft, and this could have been the case before, I’m not sure.

After the reboot our applications were not working. When you look under “My
Computer” drive D (where we installed our office software) does not show up.
When you go under “Computer Management” and then “Disk Management” the
allocated space for the D drive shows up as “free space”. The only option is
to create a new logical drive which has to go through the format process
causing the loss of all the data on that partition. Then we have to
reinstall all the software and restore the data from our backups.

Dell says it’s a software problem with Windows Server and Microsoft wanted
$600 for support with no guarantee to be able to save the data.

Here’s a break down on the server:
Dell PowerEdge T300 purchased in Feb. 2009 Tag # B8P66J1
2 – 250 gig hard drives with Raid 1; 2.83 MHz/4 gig Ram
Server 2003 standard with SP2.
The hard drive is partitioned with drive C: being 40 gig and drive D: being
192 gig. The server 2003 OS is installed on drive C:

Has anyone else had this to occur?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

That's strange. What does the event log have to say?


--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]



"GBird" wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> We have a situation that is very strange and a royal pain. This has
> happened
> twice now with the last 2 months. Drive D goes away. This time it
> happened
> during/after the required reboot after installing the security updates
> from
> Microsoft, and this could have been the case before, I’m not sure.
>
> After the reboot our applications were not working. When you look under
> “My
> Computer” drive D (where we installed our office software) does not show
> up.
> When you go under “Computer Management” and then “Disk Management” the
> allocated space for the D drive shows up as “free space”. The only option
> is
> to create a new logical drive which has to go through the format process
> causing the loss of all the data on that partition. Then we have to
> reinstall all the software and restore the data from our backups.
>
> Dell says it’s a software problem with Windows Server and Microsoft wanted
> $600 for support with no guarantee to be able to save the data.
>
> Here’s a break down on the server:
> Dell PowerEdge T300 purchased in Feb. 2009 Tag # B8P66J1
> 2 – 250 gig hard drives with Raid 1; 2.83 MHz/4 gig Ram
> Server 2003 standard with SP2.
> The hard drive is partitioned with drive C: being 40 gig and drive D:
> being
> 192 gig. The server 2003 OS is installed on drive C:
>
> Has anyone else had this to occur?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

No errors except about the share directory not being there after the reboot,
but the following is from the system log:
-------------------------------------
Restart Required: To complete the installation of the following updates, the
computer must be restarted. Until this computer has been restarted, Windows
cannot search for or download new updates:
- Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows Server 2003
(KB973346)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973815)
- Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2009 (KB890830)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971657)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971633)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB961371)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973354)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973507)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973869)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971557)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB960859)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971032)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB958469)
- Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server 2003
(KB972260)
- Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973540)

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
.
-------------------------------------------
The process wuauclt.exe has initiated the restart of computer NEMO on behalf
of user NEMO\dentaladmin for the following reason: No title for this reason
could be found
Reason Code: 0x80020002
Shutdown Type: restart
Comment:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The server service was unable to recreate the share Dexis because the
directory D:\Dexis no longer exists. Please run "net share Dexis /delete" to
delete the share, or recreate the directory D:\Dexis.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
.



"Dave Patrick" wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> That's strange. What does the event log have to say?
>
>
> --
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
> Microsoft Certified Professional
> Microsoft MVP [Windows]
>
>
>
> "GBird" wrote:<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
> > We have a situation that is very strange and a royal pain. This has
> > happened
> > twice now with the last 2 months. Drive D goes away. This time it
> > happened
> > during/after the required reboot after installing the security updates
> > from
> > Microsoft, and this could have been the case before, I’m not sure.
> >
> > After the reboot our applications were not working. When you look under
> > “My
> > Computer” drive D (where we installed our office software) does not show
> > up.
> > When you go under “Computer Management” and then “Disk Management” the
> > allocated space for the D drive shows up as “free space”. The only option
> > is
> > to create a new logical drive which has to go through the format process
> > causing the loss of all the data on that partition. Then we have to
> > reinstall all the software and restore the data from our backups.
> >
> > Dell says it’s a software problem with Windows Server and Microsoft wanted
> > $600 for support with no guarantee to be able to save the data.
> >
> > Here’s a break down on the server:
> > Dell PowerEdge T300 purchased in Feb. 2009 Tag # B8P66J1
> > 2 – 250 gig hard drives with Raid 1; 2.83 MHz/4 gig Ram
> > Server 2003 standard with SP2.
> > The hard drive is partitioned with drive C: being 40 gig and drive D:
> > being
> > 192 gig. The server 2003 OS is installed on drive C:
> >
> > Has anyone else had this to occur?
> >
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> > <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"GBird" <GBird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CBDC9801-2DCB-4F68-ABA2-085EA4085818@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> No errors except about the share directory not being there after the
> reboot,
> but the following is from the system log:
> -------------------------------------
> Restart Required: To complete the installation of the following updates,
> the
> computer must be restarted. Until this computer has been restarted,
> Windows
> cannot search for or download new updates:
> - Cumulative Security Update for ActiveX Killbits for Windows Server 2003
> (KB973346)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973815)
> - Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - August 2009 (KB890830)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971657)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971633)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB961371)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973354)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973507)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973869)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971557)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB960859)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB971032)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB958469)
> - Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Server
> 2003
> (KB972260)
> - Security Update for Windows Server 2003 (KB973540)
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> .
> -------------------------------------------
> The process wuauclt.exe has initiated the restart of computer NEMO on
> behalf
> of user NEMOdentaladmin for the following reason: No title for this
> reason
> could be found
> Reason Code: 0x80020002
> Shutdown Type: restart
> Comment:
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> The server service was unable to recreate the share Dexis because the
> directory Dexis no longer exists. Please run "net share Dexis /delete"
> to
> delete the share, or recreate the directory Dexis.
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> .<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


I agree with Dave, that this is strange. Very interesting issue. It could
possibly be attributed to a number of things, starting with a bad or
corrupted HAL, incorrectly configured boot.ini file, bad RAM, corrupt MBR,
use of partition or server magic to resize partitions, etc. Take a look at
the following link regarding someone else with a similar problem.


I would think one way to *possibly* fix it is to reinstall the OS as an
upgrade (not a wipe) with an SP2 intergated CD, which will preserve the
current installation.

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum for collaboration benefit among
responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.

Ace Fekay, MCT, MCTS Exchange, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, please contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please check
for regional support phone numbers.

 

On 8/23/2009 4:51 PM, GBird wrote:<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> After the reboot our applications were not working. When you look
> under “My Computer” drive D (where we installed our office software)
> does not show up. When you go under “Computer Management” and then
> “Disk Management” the allocated space for the D drive shows up as
> “free space”. The only option is to create a new logical drive which
> has to go through the format process causing the loss of all the data
> on that partition. Then we have to reinstall all the software and
> restore the data from our backups.<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Rather than re-creating the partition and re-formatting have you
considered trying a utility to see if it could un-delete the partition?

I would suggest that you run manufacturer tests on the hard drives and
make sure they are good. (I recently had a drive problem that caused a
RAID 1 to keep breaking. The catch was that it was in relation to
another problem thus each problem was making the other more difficult to
diagnose.)



Grant. . . .

 

GBird,
I have seen this where the array is changed outside of Windows (e.g using
the HP array configuration utility when booting, instead of the ACU in
Windows).
I can't say how that would happen in your case though,
Anthony


"GBird" <GBird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:48BB981E-9F18-4997-8A86-8F7E086E445F@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> We have a situation that is very strange and a royal pain. This has
> happened
> twice now with the last 2 months. Drive D goes away. This time it
> happened
> during/after the required reboot after installing the security updates
> from
> Microsoft, and this could have been the case before, I’m not sure.
>
> After the reboot our applications were not working. When you look under
> “My
> Computer” drive D (where we installed our office software) does not show
> up.
> When you go under “Computer Management” and then “Disk Management” the
> allocated space for the D drive shows up as “free space”. The only option
> is
> to create a new logical drive which has to go through the format process
> causing the loss of all the data on that partition. Then we have to
> reinstall all the software and restore the data from our backups.
>
> Dell says it’s a software problem with Windows Server and Microsoft wanted
> $600 for support with no guarantee to be able to save the data.
>
> Here’s a break down on the server:
> Dell PowerEdge T300 purchased in Feb. 2009 Tag # B8P66J1
> 2 – 250 gig hard drives with Raid 1; 2.83 MHz/4 gig Ram
> Server 2003 standard with SP2.
> The hard drive is partitioned with drive C: being 40 gig and drive D:
> being
> 192 gig. The server 2003 OS is installed on drive C:
>
> Has anyone else had this to occur?
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

We did use the Extpart (extend partition) utility from Dell right after we
got the server to extend the size of the C partition.

What was/is the solution when the HP configuration utility was used?



"Anthony [MVP]" wrote:
<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> GBird,
> I have seen this where the array is changed outside of Windows (e.g using
> the HP array configuration utility when booting, instead of the ACU in
> Windows).
> I can't say how that would happen in your case though,
> Anthony
>
>
> "GBird" <GBird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:48BB981E-9F18-4997-8A86-8F7E086E445F@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
> > We have a situation that is very strange and a royal pain. This has
> > happened
> > twice now with the last 2 months. Drive D goes away. This time it
> > happened
> > during/after the required reboot after installing the security updates
> > from
> > Microsoft, and this could have been the case before, I’m not sure.
> >
> > After the reboot our applications were not working. When you look under
> > “My
> > Computer” drive D (where we installed our office software) does not show
> > up.
> > When you go under “Computer Management” and then “Disk Management” the
> > allocated space for the D drive shows up as “free space”. The only option
> > is
> > to create a new logical drive which has to go through the format process
> > causing the loss of all the data on that partition. Then we have to
> > reinstall all the software and restore the data from our backups.
> >
> > Dell says it’s a software problem with Windows Server and Microsoft wanted
> > $600 for support with no guarantee to be able to save the data.
> >
> > Here’s a break down on the server:
> > Dell PowerEdge T300 purchased in Feb. 2009 Tag # B8P66J1
> > 2 – 250 gig hard drives with Raid 1; 2.83 MHz/4 gig Ram
> > Server 2003 standard with SP2.
> > The hard drive is partitioned with drive C: being 40 gig and drive D:
> > being
> > 192 gig. The server 2003 OS is installed on drive C:
> >
> > Has anyone else had this to occur?
> >
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> > <!--colorc--><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"GBird" <GBird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ABD751AC-C357-4B23-87BB-814B85845756@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> We did use the Extpart (extend partition) utility from Dell right after we
> got the server to extend the size of the C partition.
>
> What was/is the solution when the HP configuration utility was used?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Then it appears thats what's causing the issue. I'm not sure if using the
utility to put it back to the way it was, will do the trick or not.

Is this server a domain controller?

I don't know if you want to hear this or not, but hopefully you have a
backup of all your data and a system state backup. If so, I would suggest to
reinstall it from scratch, reformat the drive, break the partitions up
exactly the way you need them to be.

In my opinion, this is not a Microsoft problem, but a Dell issue, if you
used their utility that I believe caused the issue. I've never trusted any
partition utility.

Also in my opinion, I have never been fond of multiple "partitions" on a
physical drive (or logical array). I would rather directly associate a drive
letter with a "spindle" or logical array, and not break them up. If I wanted
multiple drive letters, I've always opted to use a RAID1 for the C: drive,
and get minimal 3 drives for a D: drive and make it a RAID5. This way they
are completely separate. Partitions rely on the MBR and if it gets corrupted
or altered, at reboot it may not recognize any additional partitions.


Ace

 

The solution to the problem I described is to back out the changes. Easy if
it is an additional drive, harder if you changed the boot partition,
Anthony



"Ace Fekay [MCT]" <aceman@mvps.RemoveThisPart.org> wrote in message
news:ezkK#JMJKHA.4608@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "GBird" <GBird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ABD751AC-C357-4B23-87BB-814B85845756@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> We did use the Extpart (extend partition) utility from Dell right after
>> we
>> got the server to extend the size of the C partition.
>>
>> What was/is the solution when the HP configuration utility was used?<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
> Then it appears thats what's causing the issue. I'm not sure if using the
> utility to put it back to the way it was, will do the trick or not.
>
> Is this server a domain controller?
>
> I don't know if you want to hear this or not, but hopefully you have a
> backup of all your data and a system state backup. If so, I would suggest
> to reinstall it from scratch, reformat the drive, break the partitions up
> exactly the way you need them to be.
>
> In my opinion, this is not a Microsoft problem, but a Dell issue, if you
> used their utility that I believe caused the issue. I've never trusted any
> partition utility.
>
> Also in my opinion, I have never been fond of multiple "partitions" on a
> physical drive (or logical array). I would rather directly associate a
> drive letter with a "spindle" or logical array, and not break them up. If
> I wanted multiple drive letters, I've always opted to use a RAID1 for the
> C: drive, and get minimal 3 drives for a D: drive and make it a RAID5.
> This way they are completely separate. Partitions rely on the MBR and if
> it gets corrupted or altered, at reboot it may not recognize any
> additional partitions.
>
>
> Ace
> <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Anthony [MVP]" <anthony@no-reply.com> wrote in message
news:6F54F471-846D-47B7-9E19-6CE0C7E3EB11@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> The solution to the problem I described is to back out the changes. Easy
> if it is an additional drive, harder if you changed the boot partition,<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->


I agree with you, but can the Dell utility back it out without causing
further issues. (I guess it can't get any worse), or even will the MBR
accept the change back? It seems the MBR is hosed, if it's not holding a
partition. I'm curious if booting with an old dos floppy using fdisk can
actually see the partitions, I mean even if they're NTFS, it would still
show something.

Ace

 

Ace, I agree realistically the best thing is to start again.
Whether there is a way to rescue it I don't know. I imagine its possible,
but possibly more work than starting again,
Anthony




"Ace Fekay [MCT]" <aceman@mvps.RemoveThisPart.org> wrote in message
news:OtSl0nRJKHA.4168@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> "Anthony [MVP]" <anthony@no-reply.com> wrote in message
> news:6F54F471-846D-47B7-9E19-6CE0C7E3EB11@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green <!--/coloro-->
>> The solution to the problem I described is to back out the changes. Easy
>> if it is an additional drive, harder if you changed the boot partition,<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->
>
>
> I agree with you, but can the Dell utility back it out without causing
> further issues. (I guess it can't get any worse), or even will the MBR
> accept the change back? It seems the MBR is hosed, if it's not holding a
> partition. I'm curious if booting with an old dos floppy using fdisk can
> actually see the partitions, I mean even if they're NTFS, it would still
> show something.
>
> Ace <!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

 

"Anthony [MVP]" <anthony@no-reply.com> wrote in message
news:22B7042B-1CD4-4CAF-9DEB-5A6E9AEBA264@microsoft.com...<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue <!--/coloro-->
> Ace, I agree realistically the best thing is to start again.
> Whether there is a way to rescue it I don't know. I imagine its possible,
> but possibly more work than starting again,<!--colorc--><!--/colorc-->

Very true. We can be spending twice or three times the amount of time to fix
it and not be successful, where a reinstall and start fresh, would be the
better option.

Ace