Windows 2003 Server Lock Up

Question

I have 4 Dell PowerEdge 2600 servers all running Windows 2003 Standard Server.  All 4 have 2GB of memory and 4 72 GB drives.  We are using Computer Associates BrightStor ArcServe v11.1 for tape backup and Computer Associates eTrust Antivirus v7.1 for virus protection.  These servers were brand new and put into service back in August.  Since about October they have been experiencing problems where about every two weeks they will become totally unresponsive.  I can go to the server console and hit Ctrl, Alt, Del and put it my password.  After that I get a blue background.  No icons and no task bar.  If I wait about 5 minutes the icons will start to show up but you can not access them.  Anything I try to do takes forever.  I can ping the machine from another computer and get a response back no problem.  I cannot access it through a terminal session though.  Users cannot log in to the network either.  They cannot access anything from a shared drive.  The only way to get the system back to normal is to do a hard reboot, holding down the power button.  It will not shut down normally.  Once it comes back up everything is fine and it stays that way for about 10-14 days, then the same things start to occur.  I have been working with Dell and Microsoft on this for about 2-3 months now and still no resoloution.  I've been researching the problem and have found signs pointing to BrightStor and also to eTrust but have no real proof.  Has anyone else ran into any problems like this and if so, how did you resolve it?    Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

WebExec · Answer

What have you done so far? I'm sure it's a novel but...

efirb · Answer

Well, I am not the only person experiencing this problem. I am running windows server 2003 on a Dell 1600sc PowerEdge computer and have similar lockups. This computer has been running since August 2003 without a problem. In the last 2 months or so, when I come to work in the morning the server is locked up the same as yours? I have been trying to get answers with no real help the same as you. I will be trying the Bios flash next to see if it helps (or is even available). Regardless, I won't give up until this is solved, it is a real pain to have to hardboot and kick everyone off every day.

sogrady · Answer

I have the same problem why have dell not sorted this problem. I have update all bios and 2003 updates. cant do any more.

mthiel300 · Answer

I have exactly the same problem.  I in Brightstore v11.1 and Etrust 7.1.  The machine locks up every 3 weeks.  The computer responds to CtrlAltDel, but nothing else.  Only thing different is I run an IBM server.

efirb · Answer

My Dell1600sc is not running Brightstar. I have even gone so far as temporarily disconnecting server 2003 as a network to try a simple mapped drive/share net with a few computers to isolate the problem. After a few days the computer still locks up and a manual power off/reboot is all I can do to get going again. This is very frustrating and non productive.

efirb · Answer

As I stated, My Dell 1600 sc operated flawlessly untill a few months ago. I have all available updates and the latest bios as well. I was thinking perhaps a comparison of sysem configs might shed some light but it seems that several different computer types are having this issue.

smjones31 · Answer

This problem conitnues for me.  I worked with Dell and Microsoft both on this for several weeks.  Microsoft seems to think that it has something to do with the eTrust Antivirus software that we use.  Since we are a CPA firm and this is the busiest time of the year for us, we have went to scheduled reboots every Sunday night.  This is the only way right now to ensure that the problem doesn't happen.  After April 15 we will be opening the case up again with Microsoft.  We have several plans of action ready for testing though.  Microsoft's suggestion is to update all drivers and patches on our server in this office and to completely uninstall eTrust from one of the servers in our other offices and install a trial version of some other corporate antivirus software.  This will give us a better idea of whether eTrust is actually causing the problem or not.  I have detailed information from Microsoft if anyone would like to see what they say.  Just post back and I will put it up here.   Thanks

sogrady · Answer

we upgraded the bios on our 2600 and we have had no problems since. we use brightstor.

mthiel300 · Answer

I have upgraded our network card drivers, as well as applied SP1 for Brightstor 11.1.  I was speaking with Computer Associates and they have had similar experiences, but it was with Red Had Advanced Server.  The server would hang/panic at the end of the backup and it would usually occur on a set schedule like once a month.  If the network driver update doesn't work, then they told me to try a different network card.  They said the problem was related to the cleanup process that the kernel must do to release shared memory and network sockets after the agent has finished the backup.

gates1150 · Answer

Has anyone found a fix for this? I'm running the exact same config Brightstor 11.1 and E-Trust 7.1 on a 2650 and have the same problem. It locks up about once a week unless I reboot it. I've applied the latest patches to the server and BIOS.

gates1150 · Answer

Sure I'll take the info gates1150@yahoo.com

smjones31 · Answer

Worked on this for a long time with Microsoft and Dell.  After tax season was over, followed exact details of what Microsoft wanted done and it appears (for now anyway) to have solved the problems for us.  Our servers have been up for now almost a month with no signs of any problems.  Install the latest SP for BrightStor and all other patches.  Also install the latest driver update and latest patch for eTrust.  Install all Windows Updates for the server (did not install SP1 yet).  This seemed to work for me.  I will be more then happy to send anyone who needs it detailed information that Microsoft sent to me.

efirb · Answer

I said that I would not give up till this lock-up situation was solved. I tried every suggestion that I could find and none of them took care of my problem. I then went through every program that is loaded at boot to dicover one not recognized by anyone or any search engine. RVWveE3Qd.exe was running and that was the root of my problem. I stopped it and I haven't experienced the lockup for months. Hope it helps someone.

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Windows 2003 Server Lock Up

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