Gaining Access to a Server (03)

[GRitchie]

Afternoon all.

I've encountered a bit of a problem, which is that I need to gain access to an old Server '03 box, which has some video files a few members of staff need, on it.

 

Problem is - it's no longer in AD and I don't know the local administrator credentials...

Tried an OPHCrack CD, but it doesn't seem to want to boot from a disc.

 

The server is in a RAID configuration (I assume it'll be RAID5 - but I haven't checked for certain).

 

 

How can I gain access and retrieve the media?

Thanks!

[sted]

can you put in another hdd install windows to that and then drivers for the raid card? or possibly even something like windows to go or a straight linux boot cd

[GRitchie]

Not tried that, not something I've done before either.

Is that fairly straight forward?

[sted]

Not tried that, not something I've done before either.

Is that fairly straight forward?

depends how locked down the server is but you could probably just boot of a linux disc and if it has the correct raid drivers just copy files off no problem

[andyturpie]

Acronis true image live CD to pull the files across to NAS box or similar?

[GRitchie]

I feel like your suggestions are good, I just have a feeling that it won't work that way, due to the nature of permissions etc.?

[pantscat]

Hmm... leave the partitions as it is, and re-install windows on it?

 

Then take ownership of all the files and you'll have access to them.

Edited March 1, 2016 by pantscat

[Jawloms]

I booted from a Linux live CD on a Windows 2003 box with a RAID with a failed disk and it detected everything and let me copy files off. Worth a shot?

[GRitchie]

How to re-install windows when it won't boot from CD's... I like giving a challenge :-)

[pantscat]

USB media?

[GRitchie]

Wouldn't boot OPH from a USB - 'no bootable device media found'

[Jawloms]

How to re-install windows when it won't boot from CD's... I like giving a challenge :-)

 

Didn't realise you meant it won't boot from ANY CD. USB stick? USB CD even if it's a faulty internal?

[pantscat]

Try burning the ISO to usb with this - Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux

[Boredguy]

can you PXE boot?

[GRitchie]

Doesn't look like a USB CD drive works either...

It's an ancient machine and the BIOS isn't much help either...

[mavhc]

Question is why it won't boot from cd/usb, check the bios

[GRitchie]

BIOS isn't helpful on this machine.

It's all turned on...

 

'USB Device Boot Priority - HIGH'

Boot Device Priority: 1st - CD/DVD | 2nd - ARY01 NVIDIA RAID | 3rd - Network | 4th - Not Installed

[pantscat]

Are you in the bios whilst a usb disk is plugged in?

[GRitchie]

I am yes

[pantscat]

What make/model is the server? I wonder if there's a bios or firmware update that'll help.

[Jawloms]

What make/model is the server? I wonder if there's a bios or firmware update that'll help.

 

If there is, how will he apply it?

[sted]

faulty cd/dvd drive?

[pantscat]

If there is, how will he apply it?

 

Lol... good point.

[GRitchie]

Any more suggestions?

[localzuk]

Is the RAID array set up via a separate controller card, or via an onboard controller? If separate, you should be able to transfer the card, drives and all to a different machine.