How to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows Server 2003

This article describes procedures that you can use to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows Server 2003. 

A successful Windows startup includes the following phases:

• Initial phase
• Boot loader phase
• Kernel phase
• Logon phase

If a problem occurs during any of these phases, Windows may not start correctly, and you may experience the following problems:

• The computer stops responding (hangs).
• You receive an error message.

If a startup problem occurs after you click Microsoft Windows Server 2003 on either the boot loader menu, or when you receive the "Please select the operating system to start" message, files that the operating system needs may be missing or damaged. Windows provides several options that you can use to troubleshoot this issue, including safe mode, the Recovery Console, and an Automated System Recovery. 

How to start the computer by using the last known good configuration

If the startup problem occurs immediately after you make a change to the computer (for example, after you install a new driver), try to start the computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature. 

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How to start the computer in safe mode

When you start the computer in safe mode, Windows loads only the drivers and computer services that you need. You can use safe mode when you have to identify and resolve problems that are caused by faulty drivers, programs, or services that start automatically. 

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Use Event Viewer to identify the cause of the startup problem

View the event logs in Event Viewer for information that can help you identify and diagnose the cause of the startup problem. To view events that are recorded in the event logs, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Use System Information to identify the cause of the startup problem

The System Information tool displays a comprehensive view of the computer's hardware, the system components, and the software environment. Use this tool to help identify possible problem devices and device conflicts. To do this, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

View the safe mode boot log file

To troubleshoot startup issues, view the Ntbtlog.txt boot log file, and then make a note of the drivers and services that did not load when you started your computer in safe mode. Click here to show/hide solution 

Use Device Manager to identify the cause of the startup problem

Device Manager displays a graphical view of the hardware that is installed on your computer. Use this tool to resolve any possible device conflicts or to identify incompatible devices that may be the cause of the startup problem. 

To start Device Manager, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

How to use System Configuration Utility

System Configuration Utility (Msconfig.exe) automates the routine troubleshooting steps that Microsoft Support technicians use when they diagnose Windows configuration issues. You can use this tool to change the system configuration and troubleshoot the problem by using a process-of-elimination method. Click here to show/hide solution 

Create a clean environment for troubleshooting

To create a clean environment for troubleshooting, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Isolate problems by using system startup options

To isolate problems by using System Startup options, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Isolate problems by using Selective Startup options

To isolate problems by using the Selective Startup options, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Isolate problems by using the Startup tab

The Startup tab lists items that load at startup from the Startup group, Win.ini load= and run=, and the registry. To isolate problems by using the Startup tab, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Troubleshoot System Services

To troubleshoot System Services, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Troubleshoot the System.ini file

To troubleshoot the System.ini file, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Troubleshoot the Win.ini file

To troubleshoot the Win.ini file, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Troubleshoot the Boot.ini file

Only system administrators and advanced users should try to change the Boot.ini file. Steps for troubleshooting Boot.ini are beyond the scope of this article. 

For more information, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base. To do this, go to the Microsoft Support website.

Reset System Configuration Utility to normal startup

 To reset System Configuration Utility to normal startup, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Use the Windows Recovery Console

The Recovery Console is a command-line tool that you can use to repair Windows if the computer does not start correctly. You can start the Recovery Console from the Windows Server 2003 CD or at startup if the Recovery Console was previously installed on your computer. Use the Recovery Console if the Last Known Good Configuration startup option was not successful, and you can't start the computer in safe mode. We recommend that you use the Recovery Console method only if you are an advanced user who can use basic commands to identify and locate problem drivers and files. 
To use Recovery Console, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Confirm that your hard disk or file system is not damaged

To confirm that your hard disk or file system is not damaged, start your computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD, start the Recovery Console, and then use the Chkdsk command prompt utility. This may resolve your problem. Click here to show/hide solution

How to use Automated System Recovery

 To recover from a system failure by using Automated System Recovery (ASR), follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

Create an ASR disk set by using Backup

 To use ASR, you must have an ASR disk set. To create an ASR disk set, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

How to repair your installation of Windows

You may be able to repair a damaged Windows Server 2003 installation by running Windows Setup from the Windows CD.

To repair your installation of Windows, follow these steps. Click here to show/hide solution

How to use the Microsoft Support website to find a solution

If you cannot resolve the problem by following the steps in this article, you can use the Microsoft Support website to find a solution to your problem. The following list describes some of the services that the Microsoft Support website provides:

• Searchable Knowledge Base - Search technical support information and self-help tools for Microsoft products.
• Frequently Asked Questions - View product-specific frequently asked questions and support highlights.
• Software and Updates - Find software and updates on the Download Center.
• Other Support Options - Ask a support question by using the web or telephone Microsoft Support.