How to Recover a Windows 2000 Server
Windows 2000 Server is a popular server operating system, built off of the same Windows NT architecture that spawned the home operating system Windows XP. Windows 2000 was generally considered to be a stable operating system, though problems could and did occur from time to time. Unfortunately, if a problem results in an operating system crash then it means that the files stored on the server that the OS is managing are not available until the operating system can be recovered. Windows 2000 Server recovery is relatively simple and can generally be performed in an hour or less.
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Instructions
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Insert the Windows 2000 Server Setup CD in the server's CD or DVD drive (or insert the Windows 2000 Server Setup Disk 1 into the 3.5-inch floppy drive if your setup files are on 3.5-inch media.) Power down the server, then reboot it.
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Choose to boot from the CD or DVD drive (or 3.5-inch floppy drive) that you inserted the setup disc into. If you are not prompted as to whether you wish to boot from the setup disc, reboot the server again and press the "F12" key (or other key specified on the BIOS screen) in order to access the Boot Menu and select the drive from which you wish to boot.
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Allow the Windows 2000 setup program to load. Follow the on-screen prompts until you are given the option to repair your existing Windows 2000 installation; press the "R" key in order to launch the repair function.
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Press the "R" key again in order to access the "Emergency Repair" function. You will be given two options: "Manual Repair" and "Fast Repair." Press the "F" key in order to launch the Fast Repair function.
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Wait while the setup program loads and makes repairs to files; this may take between 35 and 45 minutes or longer depending upon the disc type used and the stats of the server. If you are using 3.5-inch floppy disks, you will be prompted to insert additional installation disks as needed. The setup program will attempt to load and repair all of the files necessary to run Windows 2000 Server; any necessary files that cannot be loaded will be replaced with new copies.
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Allow the server to reboot once the repair function has finished (or reboot it manually if it does not automatically reboot). With the repair complete, Windows 2000 Server should fully load and run with no further problems.
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Tips & Warnings
Make regular backups of all files stored on your sever so that they can be quickly and easily replaced in the event of a system crash or major operating system corruption. While the repair function can recover a damaged operating system, it has no way of restoring damaged or deleted user files.
Do not reboot the server while the recovery console is running; this can lead to further damage to your files, resulting in data loss.
