Confirm that the hard drive or file system is intact

To determine that your hard disk or file system is not damaged, start the computer from the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM, start Recovery Console, and then use the Chkdsk command-line utility. This may solve the problem.

Important Microsoft only recommends that advanced users or administrators use the Recovery Console. You must know the password of the Administrator account to use the Recovery Console.

For additional information about how to test and repair a damaged hard disk with Chkdsk, see the "Using the Recovery Console" and "Using Recovery Console command Prompt" sections in the following article:

How to install and use the Windows XP Recovery Console

Note: If Chkdsk reports that the hard disk is inaccessible, your hardware may be faulty. Check all cable connections and jumper settings on the drive. Contact the computer repair Professional or computer manufacturer for further assistance.

If Chkdsk reports that you cannot repair all hard disk problems, your file system or MBR may be compromised or no longer accessible. Try using the appropriate Recovery Console command (for example, Fixmbr and Fixboot), contact the data recovery service, or repartition and reformat the hard disk.

Warning: If you repartition and reformat your hard disk, you will lose all the information on your hard disk.

Important: For further assistance, please contact the computer manufacturer or Microsoft product Support Services professional. Only people with the appropriate qualifications should attempt to repair the computer. If a computer repair is performed by a non-professional, it may invalidate the computer's warranty.