Microsoft KB Archive/916860

= A Windows Server 2003-based computer that uses a SAN boot configuration does not restart after you start the computer by using an alternative operating system =

Article ID: 916860

Article Last Modified on 3/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
 * A Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer uses a Storage Area Network (SAN) boot configuration.
 * The SAN is using a GUID partition table (GPT) disk for the boot disk.
 * The computer uses more that one host bus adapter (HBA) in a multipath configuration to communicate with the SAN disks.
 * The computer is restarted by using an alternative operating system such as Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE). The alternative operating system does not use a multipath driver that supports this multipath (MPIO) configuration. Therefore, instead of correctly displaying each SAN disk as a single unit, the operating system displays a copy of each SAN disk for each HBA interface.

In this scenario, when you try to restart the computer to Windows Server 2003, the computer does not restart.



CAUSE
The problem occurs because the alternative operating system changes the partition ID GUID on the GPT disks to avoid conflicts. In this scenario, the partition ID GUID on the boot disk is also changed. When you try to restart the computer to Windows Server 2003, the boot loader cannot find the system files because the boot disk now uses a different partition ID GUID. Therefore, Windows Server 2003 cannot start because the system files cannot be accessed.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, you must integrate this hotfix into the Windows PE installation source files, and then rebuild Windows PE.

Service pack information
To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about booting from a Storage Area Network, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

305547 Support for booting from a Storage Area Network (SAN)

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Technical support for Windows x64 editions
Your hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for Microsoft Windows x64 editions. Your hardware manufacturer provides support because a Windows x64 edition was included with your hardware. Your hardware manufacturer might have customized the Windows x64 edition installation with unique components. Unique components might include specific device drivers or might include optional settings to maximize the performance of the hardware. Microsoft will provide reasonable-effort assistance if you need technical help with your Windows x64 edition. However, you might have to contact your manufacturer directly. Your manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that your manufacturer installed on the hardware.

For product information about Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx

For product information about Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 editions, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/x64/default.mspx

Additional query words: Winx64 Windowsx64 64bit 64-bit

Keywords: kbwinserv2003sp2fix kbqfe kbhotfixserver kbexpertiseadvanced KB916860

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