Odd Server Behavior

[Quidam]

We have a DELL Poweredge 2600 operating as a file/print server. WIN2K3 standard edition. 1G RAM, RAID5.

After a scheduled reboot last weekend, it has been acting strangely. The first problem seen was that CA ARCserve backup application did not work correctly. If we tried to stop the tape engine, it would time out. If the process was manually stopped, the service status would stay as 'stopping' and never actually stop. Any services associated with ARCserve could not be stopped. ARCserve could not be uninstalled because the Windows Installer application would hang up.

When an attempt was made to research the problem on line, we discovered that IE did not work. The service would start, but the application never launched.

At times, the system would be very sluggish and unresponsive to the mouse and keyboard. Logging off and back on would temporarily solve that problem.

We attempted to boot into safe mode to uninstall ARCserve, but the server would not start in safe mode. The Safe Mode screen would display, but it immediately continued on with a standard boot.

Fortunately, file and print serving seem to be functioning normally.

DELL suspects that the OS is corrupted and suggests a new or parallel install of WIN2K3 I thought that I'd seek some input before choosing my next move. I'm not adverse to replacing the server and then rebuilding the flaky one.

Any advice is appreciated.

[originel]

Dell is probably right. It sounds like the windows install went south. It sounds a lot like a virus caused it to me. Either way a re-installation of windows (after backing up all data of course) should fix the problem. Replacing the server sound unnecessary.

[Quidam]

Thanks for the advice originel,

I ran a McAfee scan and didn't turn up any viruses.

My thoughts of replacing the server was to minimize down time or "after hours" time. The server is 2 years old and would continue on as a test environment. (Maybe that's just rationalization for some new 'iron'!)

[originel]

McAfee isn't a very good anti-virus. You should try Kaspersky. They have a free 30-day trial and if nothing else it is good for doing major damage repair work.

I was working on a laptop at work and norton didn't find any virii on the system, yet kaspersky found about 120, including several worms and trojans.

If your department can afford another server, then go for it! Just don't use this as an excuse, think of something a little more convinving

EDIT: Also, if you do a repair install of windows all of your programs and settings and such will still be there. So the system would only be down about an hour.

[Quidam]

I don't find a reference for performing a repair install for WIN2K3 Server. Is this option available if I boot from the CD? If it's a simple as you describe, I would try that option.

The suggestion from DELL was to reinstall or parallel install. If I do this, all applications would require reinstall also.

Thanks for your input while I sort through my options.