[ActiveDir] Server Reboot problem after SP4 installation

[Jim Patton]

I ran into a bit of a problem after upgrading six nearly identical servers to SP4. All six servers are Compaq DL380 G2’s running Windows 2000 Server and are nearly identical when it comes to the hardware configuration. Minor differences in the total RAM and total hard drive capacity that is installed.   The problem is that of the six servers, three will no longer shutdown or reboot properly. Both the shutdown and reboot process takes me to a black screen which then makes it necessary to manually power-off the server.   Using Compaq Insight manager and the latest version of SmartStart, I’ve made sure that all Compaq Drivers and Bios updates have been installed. No change in the problem.   I’ve reapplied SP4 – no change.   I re-installed the latest Compaq video drivers – no change.   I’ve applied all the latest Microsoft updates and hotfixes, which have not resolved the problem.   I’ve replaced the main system board, CPU and Smart 5i SCSI controller in one of the three affected servers – no change.   Compaq is suggesting that I re-build the servers to resolve this software problem. That’s a bit easier said than done considering that the servers in question are my first AD Domain Controller, my one and only Exchange Server, and a server used to provide services including VPN authentication.   My next course of action is to uninstall SP4 and rollback to SP3.   I was hoping that someone on this list might have already encountered this problem or may be able to offer some suggestions before I pay Microsoft to help me resolve this problem.   Thanks