Got a little trouble here, and it may be decision time.
After YEARS of service, hanging on by a thread, I might be at the point where I am unable to get the server back up without an OS reinstall. Its on an amd opteron 165, that was at least a few years old when I decided to use the hardware as a server. (8+ years)
I was having an issue with the backup service just before this happened, along with S.M.A.R.T reporting a failing drive in the storable pool. (non OS drive). also removed antivirus program and did an update. I was able to load to the login screen after waking up the morning after all this and found the server had rebooted(stopped for the f1 resume), but it would not load the desktop, hard reset, and then the reboot cycle started. Trying to boot to safemode the last file that was loaded was atpitabl.dat
Doing some research on atpitabl.dat errors, I troubleshooted removing all drives and peripherals, loaded only with the OS drive, on different sata ports, removed a sata6gbps/usb3 card I had some larger drives on, but all this to no avail.
I would like to get the system back up, but what I really SHOULD do is move to a more modern OS.
If I use ultimateboot cd can I run a chkdsk from that to see if that helps? (I am unable to boot to any safemode)
Would failing power supply or other hardware cause the aptitabl.dat issue?
Im thinking ill need to to a server reinstall. but if I decide to move away from whs v1, can I just hook the drives up to a working computer and transfer from hidden folder? (ugg 8 tB will take a while)
If not, and I reinstall the OS, do I just have the os drive connected? if i add all the pool drives will the reinstalled os rebuild the pool with all data?
Finally, if I decide to move to a more modern OS:
I was thinking of using win8 as my next server, using the drive pools feature to add more storage as needed, much like drive extender does currently. I would need to find a good backup program, Id loose the homeserver website, but i very rarely used that. I also use sage tv (also not being developed, thanks google for screwing that up) for pvr duties. any links for using win 8 as a whs?
Thanks for all your help/responses!