Proliant ML350 G4 Server SBS 2003 & Server 2003 Console Freezes

We have two servers running on Proliant ML350 G4. One of these servers is SBS 2003 and other is SBS Server 2003 Standard. Both servers are patched with latest windows update and Service Packs. Data partition on my server has more than 50% space left, they are running ADS and are the primary domain controllers.

Now the problem am facing is recently both systems started freezing. While troubleshooting I found that I’m able to ping the server, even RDP works but Server Restart through RDP and wont get shut down. Everytime I need to hard restart to get console to return.

I checked Event Logs, etc. but dint found anything thing reported about the same. This problem started about two weeks ago but started occurring more often since applying the most recent security packs to the servers. AT the same time I’m not experiencing any problem with my three more other servers running MS Server 2003 without ADS or PDC.

Is the problem with ADS or PDC? Please help.

Well as far as shutdown is concerned you can simply use a Script to shutdown the server. Remember that with SBS servers you will have some problems with the script because it will first need to shutdown the exchange and AV services and then shutdown the server. And secondly, as per the freezing problem, first of all make sure you have all HP latest drivers installed. Other than this try turning off the TOE and Tcp/ip offload on the NICs.

Thank you Myra. I am working on your remediation recommendations. I appreciate the quick response!

Hi

I experienced your problems on HP ML350 G5; i have 4 sas hard drive broken on 8 hdd totally, too.

My server runs WINDOWS SBS 2003 R2 and i tried to update smartport.sys, hp fiirmware e2001 sas controller (from 1.72 to 1.78 rev), hp controller driver (hp released new version on july).

4 days that server running up.

Have done someone same operations?

Waiting your idea.

Alessio

Sounds like i have the same problem
specs:
SBS 2003 on ML350 G5 (nic driver 07-08, lates w2003 updates)
Symantec endpoint 11.0.2 (latest updates)
Exchange 2003
Sybases
Arcserve r12 latest updates

Problem:
The server runs fine after an reboot, after an couple of days the server freezes. You can ping the server succesfully, but when you loggin with RDP or on console, after the logging you get the blue screen from windows and windows isn't booting anny further so you can't get on the desktop.
Clients can't communicate to the netwerk, but they are getting an ip from dhcp.

We uninstalled arcserve r12 and for two weeks the server runs fine, we installed it again an after 3 day the problem was back.
We made some changes in the open file agent, but that didn't work.

We also shutdown exchange because it was in test fase, but that didn't work.
Now i deinstalled arcserve again and i have to wait if the problem comes back.
I also read on an newsgroup that someone disabled the vss. and that it solved a similar problem.

If someone has an solution, please let me know

Thxs
Mark

Hi Mark

Our server was running after software update.

We tried to update smartport.sys, hp fiirmware e2001 sas controller (from 1.72 to 1.78 rev), hp controller driver (hp released new version on july), and feels ok.

Bye
Alessio