Rebuilt Mirror Won't Boot

[Dave K.]

OK, now I'll admit that at times I may not be the brightest light in the room
but I have a pretty good understanding of repairing a failed software mirror.
That said, the damn thing won't boot without using a floppy. Here is a
brief history:

Windows 2003 Standard
Two SCSI disks, disk0 and disk1, in a software mirror
disk0 fails
Open Disk Management and break mirror
Remove failed disk and replace with new disk (failed disk was a Seagate and
Dell sent out a Maxtor as a replacement)
Reboot to working disk using a floppy
Rebuild mirror
At this point, all is well

Remove boot floppy and reboot server
Nothing, it will not boot
Re-insert floppy and reboot machine to disk1
Check boot.ini path and made sure it points to disk1 for the Windows partition
Remove boot floppy and reboot server
Still will not boot
Re-insert boot floppy ad boot to disk1

Search discussion board for answers
Post question seeking advice from the server Gods

So, at this point I am completely confused as to what I have overlooked. I
even went so far as to copy the boot.ini, ntdetect, and ntldr from the floppy
to disk1 hoping that sice the floppy worked, the server would then boot. No
luck with that.

Help!

Thanks.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

"Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6460EE7E-8328-461D-AA07-DA98AC1DAC65@microsoft.com...
> OK, now I'll admit that at times I may not be the brightest light in the
> room
> but I have a pretty good understanding of repairing a failed software
> mirror.
> That said, the damn thing won't boot without using a floppy. Here is a
> brief history:
>
> Windows 2003 Standard
> Two SCSI disks, disk0 and disk1, in a software mirror
> disk0 fails
> Open Disk Management and break mirror
> Remove failed disk and replace with new disk (failed disk was a Seagate
> and
> Dell sent out a Maxtor as a replacement)
> Reboot to working disk using a floppy
> Rebuild mirror
> At this point, all is well
>
> Remove boot floppy and reboot server
> Nothing, it will not boot
> Re-insert floppy and reboot machine to disk1
> Check boot.ini path and made sure it points to disk1 for the Windows
> partition
> Remove boot floppy and reboot server
> Still will not boot
> Re-insert boot floppy ad boot to disk1
>
> Search discussion board for answers
> Post question seeking advice from the server Gods
>
> So, at this point I am completely confused as to what I have overlooked.
> I
> even went so far as to copy the boot.ini, ntdetect, and ntldr from the
> floppy
> to disk1 hoping that sice the floppy worked, the server would then boot.
> No
> luck with that.
>
> Help!
>
> Thanks.
>

Nice problem description but you omitted the most essential
part: How far does the boot process go and what do you see
on the screen?

 

[Dave K.]

Doh!

I went and just rebooted the server and here is the relevant information
BIOS - check
LSI Configuration Utility - check
Spins up SCSI LUNS - check
LSI Logic Corp MPT Boot ROM Success Intall - check
Broadcom NetXtreme Boot Agent - check
Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for the Broadcom card) - check
Hangs at this point

If I put the floppy in the server will go through all of the above noted
steps and right afer the "Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for the
Broadcom card)" line, the floppy runs and the system boots. So it would
appear the problem is with the boot.ini file on the server. the boot.ini on
the floppy is a copy of the original boot.ini before the rebuild of the mirror

Here is the text from the floppy boot.ini file and I select "Boot Mirror C":
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Floppy"
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary plex"

Here is the boot.ini file from the server:
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary plex"

Since disk1 is the disk I used to create the new mirror with disk0, I have
changed the ARC path to point to disk1 for the Windows partition.

If there is anything else I forgot, please tell me and I will get the
information as quickly as I can.

 

[Dave K.]

Correction to the boot.ini on the server. It reads as follows:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"
/fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary plex"

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

"Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:554435F6-6C7D-4914-A5E6-4238201E24F6@microsoft.com...
> Doh!
>
> I went and just rebooted the server and here is the relevant information
> BIOS - check
> LSI Configuration Utility - check
> Spins up SCSI LUNS - check
> LSI Logic Corp MPT Boot ROM Success Intall - check
> Broadcom NetXtreme Boot Agent - check
> Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for the Broadcom card) - check
> Hangs at this point
>
> If I put the floppy in the server will go through all of the above noted
> steps and right afer the "Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for
> the
> Broadcom card)" line, the floppy runs and the system boots. So it would
> appear the problem is with the boot.ini file on the server. the boot.ini
> on
> the floppy is a copy of the original boot.ini before the rebuild of the
> mirror
>
> Here is the text from the floppy boot.ini file and I select "Boot Mirror
> C":
> [boot loader]
> timeout=30
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Floppy"
> /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
> plex"
>
> Here is the boot.ini file from the server:
> [boot loader]
> timeout=30
> default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
> [operating systems]
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"
> /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
> multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
> plex"
>
> Since disk1 is the disk I used to create the new mirror with disk0, I have
> changed the ARC path to point to disk1 for the Windows partition.
>
> If there is anything else I forgot, please tell me and I will get the
> information as quickly as I can.
>
>

Boot.ini should be the same on the floppy and on the hard disk.
You should also check if the file ntbootdd.sys exists both on the
floppy disk the hard disk.

 

[Dave K.]

The boot.ini on the drive is the same as the floopy. I just verified it even
though it appears that I did not type it correctly in this post, mea culpa.
Also, from what I have read, since I am using multiple SCSI drives, and the
ARC path contains "multi" I do not need the ntbootdd.sys. If it was
required, I would not be able to boot from the floppy since it is not on the
floppy.

So, I am still at square one with a server that I can boot off a floppy yet
I cannot boot the server using the same boot.ini file on the C drive.

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:554435F6-6C7D-4914-A5E6-4238201E24F6@microsoft.com...
> > Doh!
> >
> > I went and just rebooted the server and here is the relevant information
> > BIOS - check
> > LSI Configuration Utility - check
> > Spins up SCSI LUNS - check
> > LSI Logic Corp MPT Boot ROM Success Intall - check
> > Broadcom NetXtreme Boot Agent - check
> > Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for the Broadcom card) - check
> > Hangs at this point
> >
> > If I put the floppy in the server will go through all of the above noted
> > steps and right afer the "Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for
> > the
> > Broadcom card)" line, the floppy runs and the system boots. So it would
> > appear the problem is with the boot.ini file on the server. the boot.ini
> > on
> > the floppy is a copy of the original boot.ini before the rebuild of the
> > mirror
> >
> > Here is the text from the floppy boot.ini file and I select "Boot Mirror
> > C":
> > [boot loader]
> > timeout=30
> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
> > [operating systems]
> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003, Floppy"
> > /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
> > plex"
> >
> > Here is the boot.ini file from the server:
> > [boot loader]
> > timeout=30
> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
> > [operating systems]
> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"
> > /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
> > plex"
> >
> > Since disk1 is the disk I used to create the new mirror with disk0, I have
> > changed the ARC path to point to disk1 for the Windows partition.
> >
> > If there is anything else I forgot, please tell me and I will get the
> > information as quickly as I can.
> >
> >
>
> Boot.ini should be the same on the floppy and on the hard disk.
> You should also check if the file ntbootdd.sys exists both on the
> floppy disk the hard disk.
>
>
>

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Is your system partition marked as "active"?


"Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3B7E62D7-244C-4959-A86D-BAE162D814FB@microsoft.com...
> The boot.ini on the drive is the same as the floopy. I just verified it
> even
> though it appears that I did not type it correctly in this post, mea
> culpa.
> Also, from what I have read, since I am using multiple SCSI drives, and
> the
> ARC path contains "multi" I do not need the ntbootdd.sys. If it was
> required, I would not be able to boot from the floppy since it is not on
> the
> floppy.
>
> So, I am still at square one with a server that I can boot off a floppy
> yet
> I cannot boot the server using the same boot.ini file on the C drive.
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:554435F6-6C7D-4914-A5E6-4238201E24F6@microsoft.com...
>> > Doh!
>> >
>> > I went and just rebooted the server and here is the relevant
>> > information
>> > BIOS - check
>> > LSI Configuration Utility - check
>> > Spins up SCSI LUNS - check
>> > LSI Logic Corp MPT Boot ROM Success Intall - check
>> > Broadcom NetXtreme Boot Agent - check
>> > Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for the Broadcom card) -
>> > check
>> > Hangs at this point
>> >
>> > If I put the floppy in the server will go through all of the above
>> > noted
>> > steps and right afer the "Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for
>> > the
>> > Broadcom card)" line, the floppy runs and the system boots. So it
>> > would
>> > appear the problem is with the boot.ini file on the server. the
>> > boot.ini
>> > on
>> > the floppy is a copy of the original boot.ini before the rebuild of the
>> > mirror
>> >
>> > Here is the text from the floppy boot.ini file and I select "Boot
>> > Mirror
>> > C":
>> > [boot loader]
>> > timeout=30
>> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
>> > [operating systems]
>> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003,
>> > Floppy"
>> > /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
>> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
>> > plex"
>> >
>> > Here is the boot.ini file from the server:
>> > [boot loader]
>> > timeout=30
>> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
>> > [operating systems]
>> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"
>> > /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
>> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
>> > plex"
>> >
>> > Since disk1 is the disk I used to create the new mirror with disk0, I
>> > have
>> > changed the ARC path to point to disk1 for the Windows partition.
>> >
>> > If there is anything else I forgot, please tell me and I will get the
>> > information as quickly as I can.
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Boot.ini should be the same on the floppy and on the hard disk.
>> You should also check if the file ntbootdd.sys exists both on the
>> floppy disk the hard disk.
>>
>>
>>

 

[Dave K.]

I will have to look into that. I did nopt think it was possible to mark a
partition on a dynamic disk as 'active'

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

> Is your system partition marked as "active"?
>
>
> "Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3B7E62D7-244C-4959-A86D-BAE162D814FB@microsoft.com...
> > The boot.ini on the drive is the same as the floopy. I just verified it
> > even
> > though it appears that I did not type it correctly in this post, mea
> > culpa.
> > Also, from what I have read, since I am using multiple SCSI drives, and
> > the
> > ARC path contains "multi" I do not need the ntbootdd.sys. If it was
> > required, I would not be able to boot from the floppy since it is not on
> > the
> > floppy.
> >
> > So, I am still at square one with a server that I can boot off a floppy
> > yet
> > I cannot boot the server using the same boot.ini file on the C drive.
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> "Dave K." <DaveK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:554435F6-6C7D-4914-A5E6-4238201E24F6@microsoft.com...
> >> > Doh!
> >> >
> >> > I went and just rebooted the server and here is the relevant
> >> > information
> >> > BIOS - check
> >> > LSI Configuration Utility - check
> >> > Spins up SCSI LUNS - check
> >> > LSI Logic Corp MPT Boot ROM Success Intall - check
> >> > Broadcom NetXtreme Boot Agent - check
> >> > Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for the Broadcom card) -
> >> > check
> >> > Hangs at this point
> >> >
> >> > If I put the floppy in the server will go through all of the above
> >> > noted
> >> > steps and right afer the "Press Ctrl + S to enter cfg menu (this is for
> >> > the
> >> > Broadcom card)" line, the floppy runs and the system boots. So it
> >> > would
> >> > appear the problem is with the boot.ini file on the server. the
> >> > boot.ini
> >> > on
> >> > the floppy is a copy of the original boot.ini before the rebuild of the
> >> > mirror
> >> >
> >> > Here is the text from the floppy boot.ini file and I select "Boot
> >> > Mirror
> >> > C":
> >> > [boot loader]
> >> > timeout=30
> >> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
> >> > [operating systems]
> >> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003,
> >> > Floppy"
> >> > /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
> >> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
> >> > plex"
> >> >
> >> > Here is the boot.ini file from the server:
> >> > [boot loader]
> >> > timeout=30
> >> > default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS
> >> > [operating systems]
> >> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows Server 2003"
> >> > /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptOut
> >> > multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Boot Mirror C: - secondary
> >> > plex"
> >> >
> >> > Since disk1 is the disk I used to create the new mirror with disk0, I
> >> > have
> >> > changed the ARC path to point to disk1 for the Windows partition.
> >> >
> >> > If there is anything else I forgot, please tell me and I will get the
> >> > information as quickly as I can.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> Boot.ini should be the same on the floppy and on the hard disk.
> >> You should also check if the file ntbootdd.sys exists both on the
> >> floppy disk the hard disk.
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>