Troubleshootings

How to restore Windows Server 2003 system files

 

Problem:

How to restore Windows Server 2003 system files
How to replace a missing or corrupted system file or driver

Solution:

There are multiple solutions for this:

SOLUTION 1:

Extract the file using the automated System File Checker

1. Click Start > Run
2. In the Run dialog box, type the following text:
   
   sfc /scannow
3. Click OK.
   
   The Windows File Protection dialog box appears and a system scan begins.
   You may have to insert your Windows installation CD.
4. Follow the prompts.

SOLUTION 2:

Use the System Configuration utility to restore a system file(s)

1. Insert your Windows Server 2003 installation disk into your CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Click Start > Run
3. In the Run dialog box, type the following text:
   
   Msconfig
4. Click OK.
5. On the General tab, click Expand File.
6. In the File to restore box, type the name of the file you want to expand.
• Or, to locate the file you want to replace, click Browse File, and then click Open.
7. In the Restore from box, type the path from which to restore the file.
• Or, to locate the source file you want to expand on your Windows Server 2003 installation disk, click Browse From, and then click Open.
8. If the Save file in box is not already populated from step 4, type the path to which you want the file to be restored.
• Or, to locate the destination folder you want to expand the file into, click Browse To, and then click OK.
9. Click Expand.

SOLUTION 3:

Use Expand.exe at a command prompt to restore a system file(s)

1. Insert your Windows Server 2003 installation disk into your CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Click Start > Run
3. In the Run dialog box, type the following text:
   
   cmd
4. Click OK.
5. In the command prompt type the following:
   
   cd\
6. Press ENTER.
7. At the command prompt, type:
   
   expand -r
   
   Where is the path to the file that you want to expand on the Windows Server 2003 installation disk, and is the path to the location where you want to save the file,

• EXAMPLE:
  expand –r D:\i386\sfc.dl_ %systemroot%\system32
• Press ENTER.

SOLUTION 4:

Use Expand.exe at from the run line to restore a system file(s)

1. Insert your Windows Server 2003 installation disk into your CD drive or DVD drive.
2. Click Start > Run
3. In the Run dialog box, type the following text:
   
   expand -r
   
   Where is the path to the file that you want to expand on the Windows Server 2003 installation disk, and is the path to the location where you want to save the file,
• EXAMPLE:
  expand –r D:\i386\sfc.dl_ %systemroot%\system32
• Press OK.