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Server running EXTREMLY SLOW and Freezing RRS feed

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    Hi,
    I have a home made WHS running at home, everything was working fine up till a week ago. I haven't basically used the server for couple of days(been running all the time tho, just no access in anyway) then couple of days ago i noticed the server keep restarting every5-7 min. I did a hard reset (unplugged the server and plugged it back) all the restarts stopped but now the server as soon as it loads in normal mode it freezes after 2-3 min and in Safe mode it gets extremely slow( it takes 7-10 min to respond to Start key, then hick up and short freeze, 10 sec work ... same thing over again freeze ....10 sec work,... freeze)

    I suspect there is a hardware problem, so i have another PC ready to basically setup the Server on that computer now my question is what would be the best way to transfer all the Date to the new server. obviously the option of normal transferring is almost impossible since server freezes constantly, also im scared of doing a reinstallation cause if its a hardware problem, may give me some weird error in the middle of the process.

    I'm open to any suggestion.
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 12:54 AM

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    Hello,
    for me sounds also like a hardware problem - maybe cooling issues (to much dust inside, stopped cooler rotation).
    Could be also something else.
    If you could look into the event log of your server this might give some hints.
    Also disabling automatic reboot at error case in System properties on Advanced tab may give you a bluescreen with an error message.
    (If no bluescreen comes up then, it is most likely a hardware issue.)
    You didn't tell us anything about your storage. Disks controlled in IDE or SATA mode (check the SATA controller settings in Bios to see details)?

    If this are only a few disks, swapping the CPU/mainboard chipset within the similar family, setting the disk controller to IDE mode and attach the system drive to the first controller port increases the chances, that the system boots and allows to install the necessary drivers for the new platform.

    If not, you can try to boot from the WHS DVD after swapping the hardware around (and again have the system disk attached as disk 0).
    With some luck a Server reinstallation is offered, which would preserve the data besides user accounts, installed updates, Add-Ins and customizations. (If only a new installation is offered, stop here.)
    In this last case you have to save your data from the hidden folder DE\shares on each of the data volumes, which may contain files from the shared folders or duplicates.
    In case you have not enough space on your clients to do such a backup, you could also disconnect all data drives, save the data from the D: drive of the server (same subfolder again) and after that install WHS on that single disk.
    Later attach one disk after the other, copy the data from its DE folders to the Shared folders on the new installation and after finishing add the disk to the storage pool.
    The client backups would be lost in this scenario and have to be redone.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:18 AM
    • Marked as answer by MrMani Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:25 PM
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:19 AM
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    It does; but, they're still standard NTFS discs.
    Instructions on how to recover data off of the storage discs can be found in this thread.

    HTH,
    Chris
    [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]
    • Marked as answer by MrMani Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:25 PM
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:38 AM

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    Hello,
    for me sounds also like a hardware problem - maybe cooling issues (to much dust inside, stopped cooler rotation).
    Could be also something else.
    If you could look into the event log of your server this might give some hints.
    Also disabling automatic reboot at error case in System properties on Advanced tab may give you a bluescreen with an error message.
    (If no bluescreen comes up then, it is most likely a hardware issue.)
    You didn't tell us anything about your storage. Disks controlled in IDE or SATA mode (check the SATA controller settings in Bios to see details)?

    If this are only a few disks, swapping the CPU/mainboard chipset within the similar family, setting the disk controller to IDE mode and attach the system drive to the first controller port increases the chances, that the system boots and allows to install the necessary drivers for the new platform.

    If not, you can try to boot from the WHS DVD after swapping the hardware around (and again have the system disk attached as disk 0).
    With some luck a Server reinstallation is offered, which would preserve the data besides user accounts, installed updates, Add-Ins and customizations. (If only a new installation is offered, stop here.)
    In this last case you have to save your data from the hidden folder DE\shares on each of the data volumes, which may contain files from the shared folders or duplicates.
    In case you have not enough space on your clients to do such a backup, you could also disconnect all data drives, save the data from the D: drive of the server (same subfolder again) and after that install WHS on that single disk.
    Later attach one disk after the other, copy the data from its DE folders to the Shared folders on the new installation and after finishing add the disk to the storage pool.
    The client backups would be lost in this scenario and have to be redone.

    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:18 AM
    • Marked as answer by MrMani Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:25 PM
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:19 AM
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    Thanks for the info, im gonna give it a shot see if it works or not,
    but basically what i wanna know is if its possible basically to transfer all the "data" driver to some other WHS ? completly diff Motherboard... good old fashion connecting the hard drive to another computer and transfering the data ? as i recall it WHS manages the date in a different way correct ?

    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:26 AM
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    It does; but, they're still standard NTFS discs.
    Instructions on how to recover data off of the storage discs can be found in this thread.

    HTH,
    Chris
    [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]
    • Marked as answer by MrMani Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:25 PM
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:38 AM
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    I do not understand clearly, what you mean with transfer data - mount the disk in a different box? Or copy the data? I explained both already above.
    If the last, you still have access to the shares, as outlined above (via hidden folder DE) from each client machine to which you attach the disks. The files may be located on a single drive or on various drives.
    The only thing, which is stored "different" are the client backups, which I mentioned will usually be lost if a simple boot with new hardware or a server reinstall do not work.
    (There is a way to transfer them if they are not demolished, but usually this is more complicated than redoing the backups.)
    Best greetings from Germany
    Olaf

    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:50 AM
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    MrMani said:

    Thanks for the info, im gonna give it a shot see if it works or not,
    but basically what i wanna know is if its possible basically to transfer all the "data" driver to some other WHS ? completly diff Motherboard... good old fashion connecting the hard drive to another computer and transfering the data ? as i recall it WHS manages the date in a different way correct ?



    FYI, you are only allowed to move your OEM license to a mobo that is comparable to the one you are replacing.  If not, you are violating the license agreement and MS is within their right to not allow you to activate your license again.  (I'm not saying they will, just that they can.)
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:18 AM
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