[Resolved] Srv2003R2 PDC Broken & cannot be accessed

**Stitcher** · 11th June 2009

I'm not exactly sure what has happened here, but...

PDC/BDC are both Server 2003 R2 w/SP2
Both have DNS/WINS
Network is Static IPs

I rebooted this morning and then Srv1 (PDC) began "breaking" & bringing down part of my network. I can ping out to my BDC, but my BDC cannot ping to the PDC. I can access my BDC & other servers on the network, but none of them or clents can access the PDC, which has 4 network drives with data. It can be seen, but not accessed?

I had originally shut down all servers and then brought my PDC first, then the rest. I have since left all servers up and restarted only the PDC, still the same situation.

I am unable to determine what has happened, even with the company breathing down my neck wanting data access.

I cannot see any event errors on the PDC that indicate any issues.

I need some serious help here please! Part of my network is down & you probably know how that can cause all sorts of problems.

Thank you!!
Ken

**Stitcher** · 11th June 2009

RESOLVED (Pretty much...)

I had to restart the server due to MS updates being done before I came in. Once it restarted, the problems began...

Once I was done helping out so many users, I was able to get back to troubleshooting & uninstalled the updates from the morning. Once I began investigating them more, I finally discovered the firewall had been activated!!!! The only conclusion I can come to is that one of the updates activated the firewall!! grrrr.....

I know it has happened to XP clients, but this is the first server I've had it happen to or heard of...TOUGH LESSON LEARNED! Turn OFF auto updates & wait a few days since I can't test to see if anything is bad. THEN personally check them first to see what each might be "updating"!

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RELATED: Where should I start with testing my "alleged" BDC? It sure didn't operate very well as a backup!!

sergeantash · 10th July 2009

To help me and future viewers of this thread, which update (KB) specifically turned the Firewall back on?

Thanks,

**Stitcher** · 10th July 2009

Good point...I don't know which KB was responsible, but here are the 6 that I uninstalled and then a week later reinstalled them all with no issues or even messages saying anything about the firewall. Very strange, but I know one of these caused it. I say this because I have since remembered seeing a pop-up window flash something while it was trying to shut down for that lovely restart, and believe it or not, I think it was something about the firewall?! Once I entered panic mode, I never thought about it again!! grrrrrr.......

This is from the Event Log & in the exact order I uninstalled...

Windows Server 2003 KB968537
Windows Server 2003 KB969898
Windows Server 2003 KB969805
Windows Server 2003 KB961501
Windows Server 2003 KB970238
Windows Server 2003 KB963093