User Desktops Deleted after Reinstalling W2k Server

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pat Albrecht
  • Start date Start date
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Pat Albrecht

Hello,
I have a Windows 2000 server running terminal
services that recently refused to boot. After
reinstalling Windows 2000 into another directory (the
original was in C:\winnt while the new install is in
C:\windows), users complained that their desktops were
deleted. I went into the Documents and Settings folder
and sure enough, their folders were still there, but the
desktops were deleted in every one. Why did this happen
and is there a way to recover?

Thanks,

Pat Albrecht
 
Well I would have to say that your recovery method is suspect. The correct
way to recover a dead system that can't be recovered via restore from backup
(because there isn't one), via Rescue Disk or via recovery console is:

1. Boot from CD or install disks
2. choose install option (NOT REPAIR)
3. Allow setup routine to detect current installation
4. Choose Repair of current install

This method retains profiles, applications, SIDs...

The method you used created a new Windows Installation, which is basically
useless unless you reinstall all apps and re-create all user accounts.

Another option (that ensures no loss of data) if the current install is
FUBAR, can't be repaired/refreshed, and you have no backup, is to install a
new hard disk and slave the current disk, then do your clean install to the
new disk and restore files from the old disk.

User profiles are tied to SIDs, not user names.

Patrick Rouse
Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server
http://www.workthin.com
 
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