3 Steps to Create Windows Server 2008 R2 Repair Disk

When need to create Windows Server 2008 repair disk?

"Several years ago, I purchased a Server pre-installed with Windows Server 2008 R2. The system did not include the installation media. Now my Server 2008 cannot boot and prompted the error message saying I need to use the recovery tools on my installation media to repair the operating system. But I don’t have one. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to create an emergency repair disk for Windows Server 2008 (R2)? Thanks!"

Windows Server 2008 emergency repair disk, as its name implies, is able to help repair Server 2008 when it cannot boot up for some reasons including bad sectors on the main hard drive, corrupted Master Boot record/Boot Configuration Data, system files missing or damage, etc. It is a useful alternative to Server installation DVD or CD that helps repair Server boot issues.

Besides, it is helpful when you want to do some operations that cannot be performed within Windows Server, such as formatting Server OS partition, erasing system disk, or deleting OS partition.

3 Steps to create Windows Server 2008 (R2) emergency repair disk

To create Windows Server 2008 (R2) repair disk, you can use AOMEI Partition Assistant Server. It is able to help you make a repair USB flash drive for all Windows Server editions (Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008/2003). The whole process is quite straightforward and easy to follow. It comes with a free Demo Version you can download for a trial.

Step 1. Prepare an empty USB drive (or backup important files first and delete all data inside to make it empty), connect it to working Server computer. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Server on that working computer as well. Click "Tools" in the top toolbar and choose “Make Bootable Media”.

Step 2. Tick “USB Boot Device” option and select the prepared USB drive.

Step 3. Then wait for the process to accomplish.

Then the Windows Server 2008 repair disk is made successfully. It contains the pre-installed AOMEI Partition Assistant Server.

How to repair Server 2008 via the Server 2008 repair disk?

Now you can use the emergency repair disk to fix Windows Server 2008 (R2) and other Windows Server OS boot issues. For this task, “Rebuild MBR” and “Check Partition” functions provided by AOMEI Partition Assistant Server can help.

Before you do: insert the bootable USB drive into the Server 2008 computer which cannot start up, reboot it and enter BIOS settings to change boot order to boot computer from the USB drive. Once login, the inside AOMEI Partition Assistant Server will run automatically.

Method 1. Rebuild MBR

Since Master Boot Record is the most important part of your hard drive and contains crucial boot information, your Windows Server might be unable to boot as normal when it is damaged. In this case, you can rebuild MBR as below.

Step 1. Click the Server 2008 system disk. In the right pane, find and choose “Rebuild MBR”.

Step 2. Choose an appropriate MBR type for your OS and click “OK”.

Step 3. Back to the main interface, click “Apply” to commit the pending operation.

Method 2. Check Server 2008 drive for errors

Errors on the Server OS partition are another common cause behind Windows Server boot failure. So checking and fixing errors can also help repair Server boot problems.

Step 1. Right-click the Server 2008 partition (usually C: drive) and select “Advanced” >”Check Partition”.

Step 2. In this window, choose the first way to check and fix errors if found. Click “OK”.

Then wait for the process to complete.

In the WinPE environment, you can also make other available operations (provided by AOMEI Partition Assistant) on entire disk or a specific partition such as: clone hard drive from boot, format C drive, delete OS drive and more.

How to repair Windows Server 2008 R2 from installation DVD?

From above, we can know that creating a Windows Server 2008 repair disk is a great workaround when the installation DVD is not available for repairing Windows Server. If you have the Server installation DVD, you can repair Server operating system using Command Prompt from DVD. Below is how:

Step 1. Insert the installation DVD or CD into the Server 2008 computer. Enter BIOS to change the boot sequence to boot computer from the DVD.

Step 2. At the “Install Windows” screen, select a language, time and keyboard.

Step 3. Click “Next” and then “Repair your computer”.

Step 4. In the System Recovery Options windows, choose “Command Prompt”.

To check the system drive for errors and fix them, execute the below command:

•chkdsk c: /f / r /x

To repair damaged MBR or BCD, run the following command instead:

•bootrec/fixmbr

•bootrec/fixboot

•bootrec/scanos

•bootrec/rebuildbcd

Wrap things up

So, that’s a look at creating Windows Server 2008 repair disk and how to use it to repair Windows Server. While the steps above can help, it is always a good idea to perform Windows Server 2008 backup schedule in advance. To install this amazing Server disk partition management tool in unlimited computers within one company, you can consider AOMEI Partition Assistant Unlimited.