Svrops.com - NTRestore

docs > winnt > restoring Windows NT

This server restore is based on a Compaq server using a RAID 5 array,
Windows NT 4.0, and ARCserver 6.5 (build 620). The procedures, though
specific to this configuration, can still be used as general restore procedures.

What's Needed:

	Windows NT Server 4.0 CD with CD Key (if you don't have a bootable CD ROM drive, you will need the 3 NT boot disks)
	Your latest service pack for NT Server (should be at least SP4)
	ARCserve for NT v6.5 build 620
	Compaq SmartStart CD (if you need to recreate the System Partition or RAID Array)
	Server Documentation indicating IP Address, subnet mask, default gateway, type of Network Card, and hard drive partition info.
	Current Full Backup tape

Basic Steps:

1. Create System Partition, configure hard drives or RAID Array
2. Install NT
3. Install ARCServe, configure restore job
4. Restore backup to server
5. Verify backup was successful

Prepare the Server:

1.   If you need to install the Compaq System Partition, or recreate the RAID Array
      insert the SmartStart CD in the server and reboot the server. For information
      on this procedure see Compaq SmartStart CD under Tech Help.

      Consult your documentation for the number of logical drives, partitions,
      and their sizes when setting up your hard drives. Is your Array using
      a hot spare?

Install the Software:

1.   Put the NT 4.0 CD in the CD ROM drive, and reboot the server.
      Install NT.
      - If your system BIOS does not support booting from the CD ROM
        drive, you will have to start the install using the 3 NT 4.0 Setup Disks
        You can get them here.
      - Duplicate your previous install as far as drive partitions and file system.
      - Network connectivity does not need to be installed for the restore,
        Unless...you need the network to get your service pack or ARCserve
        from another server.
      - Install NT as a Member or Stand Alone Server. If you are connected to
        a network, it is not necessary to join a Domain for the restore.
      - After NT is installed, open Disk Administrator. Create and format
        remaining hard drive space according to your documentation.

2.   Install your latest Service Pack. This will require a reboot when finished.

3.   Install ARCserve for NT v6.5 build 620. The update to build 620 was
      an important update for ARCserve, and should be installed if your
      version is build 600. To see your version and build numbers, open
      ARCserve Job Status, and click on Help | About.

      Make sure to install ARCserve to the same path it was installed when
      the backup was done. If you install it on another partition or in a
      different directory, you will end up with two copies of ARCserve.

      There is an ARCserve Technical Document that states you need to make
      a modification to the registry in order for NT system files that are in
      use during the restore, to be restored. Do the following:
      - Open REGEDT32.exe.
      - Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Cheyenne\ARCserve\
        CurrentVersion\Task\Restore
      - If the Task and Restore keys are not there, you need to create them.
      - In the Restore key, add the value ActiveFiles as type REG_DWORD
        and set it equal to 1.
      - Close REGEDT32.

Configure ARCserve/Restore files:

1.   Insert your Full Backup tape in the tape drive.

2.   Open the ARCserve Manager from Start | Programs. Then open
      Job Status. Choose the Manager Menu, then Utilities,
      then Recover Database.

3.   Click the Run Icon (Traffic Light) to start the Database Recovery
      from the backup tape. This shouldn't take more than 20 minutes.

4.   Once the Recovery job is finished, choose the Manager Menu,
      then Restore.

5.   Choose Restore by Tree, choose My Computer (with your computer name).

6.   Under My Computer, double click the box next to each drive to select it,
      then highlight each drive (one at a time) and click the version history button.
      From here you can choose which session on the tape to restore.

7.   Click the Destination tab and leave "Restore files to their original
      locations" as is.

8.   Click the Schedule Tab to schedule the Restore job.

9.   Choose the Restore menu at the top of the screen, then Options.

10.   On the Destination Tab, choose "Create Entire Path from the Root"
        and "Overwrite All Files".
        On the Operation Tab, choose "Restore Registry Files" and
        "Create Empty Directories".

11.   Click the OK button, then the Run Icon (Traffic Light).

12.   Wait for the restore operation to finish. This could take 30 mins.,
        or 4 or more hours depending on how much data you have to
        restore.

Server Verification:

1.   Once the restore is finished, plug your server into the network
      (if it isn't already), shut down NT, and power off the server.

2.   Power the server back on, let it boot up (you hope...), and
      begin to check out the server.

3.   - Depending on how your Domain/Server is configured, you might
      want to let the server sit on the network for 15 mins or so before
      having users access the server. The server will need time for
      synchronization, replication, and browser list updates.
      - Check your Network connection (ping your default gateway
      and open Network Neighborhood to check for other devices).
      - Check ARCserve (does it open? BTW... you will have to recreate
      your old backup jobs).
      - Check the Event Viewer for any errors.
      - Have a couple of users reboot their PCs, Login to the Domain, and
      see if they can access the server and any applications or data
      they normally use. If all looks well, let all users do the same.

b/johnson:01