How to Repair Windows Server 2003

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:

1. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
2. If the Windows CD displays the What would you like to do? menu, click Exit.
3. Turn off your computer, wait ten seconds, and then turn your computer back on.
4. If you are prompted to start your computer from the CD, do so.Note You must be able to start your computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM to run Windows Setup. Your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive must be configured to do so. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer, or contact your computer manufacturer.
5. After Setup starts, press ENTER to continue the setup process.
6. Press ENTER to select the option To set up Windows now, press ENTER. Do not select the Recovery Consoleoption.
7. Press F8 to accept the licensing agreement.Setup searches for previous installations of Windows.
   • If Setup does not find a previous installation of Windows Server 2003, you might have a hardware failure.Hardware failures are beyond the scope of this article. See a computer hardware specialist for more help or try the Hardware troubleshooter. For more information about the Hardware Troubleshooter, see the Windows Server 2003 Help topic “Using Troubleshooters.”
   • If Setup does find a previous installation of Windows Server 2003, you may receive the following message:
     If one of the following Windows Server 2003 installations is damaged, setup can try to repair it. Use the up and down arrows to select an installation. To repair the selected installation, press R. To continue without repairing, press ESC.
     Select the appropriate Windows Server 2003 operating system installation, and then press R to try to repair it.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the installation.Notes
     • You might have to change the boot drive sequence in your BIOS settings to successfully start your computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD. Contact the manufacturer of your computer, or see your manufacturer’s documentation, for more information.
     • If you cannot start your computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD, you might have a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive failure or other hardware failure.Hardware failures are beyond the scope of this article. See a computer hardware specialist for more help or try the Hardware troubleshooter. For more information about the Hardware Troubleshooter, see the Windows Server 2003 Help topic “Using Troubleshooters.”