Small Business Server 2003 installation starts automatically when you try to start the Recovery Console from the Dell OEM version of the Small Business Server 2003 CD

When you try to start your computer by using the Recovery Console, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 Setup starts automatically and the Recovery Console does not start. This symptom occurs if you use the Dell OEM version of the SBS 2003 CD. When the installation is finished, a second installation of SBS 2003 starts.

This issue occurs because of scripting that is added by Dell to the Dell OEM version of the SBS 2003 CD. This scripting is designed to automate the installation process. This scripting on the Dell OEM version of the SBS 2003 CD bypasses the option to start your computer by using the Recovery Console. This scripting also automatically starts a new installation of SBS 2003 when you start your computer from the Dell OEM version of the SBS 2003 CD.

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

Use this method if you have completed the second installation of SBS 2003 after you started from the Dell OEM version of the SBS 2003 CD. You can log on to the new installation, and then configure the computer to restart the original installation. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
4. In the Default operating system list, click to select the second operating system that appears in the list.
   
   Important Realize that this operating system may have the same name as the currently-selected operating system.
5. Click OK two times, and then restart the computer.

Method 2

If you want to start your computer by using the Recovery Console, you can start your computer with a retail version of the SBS 2003 CD, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 CD, Microsoft Windows XP CD, or Microsoft Windows 2000 CD. The following steps may vary depending on the type of operating system CD you are using. To start your computer with a retail version of the SBS 2003 CD, Windows Server 2003 CD, Windows XP CD, or Windows 2000 CD, follow these steps:

1. Configure the computer to start from the CD or the DVD drive. For more information about how to do this, see the computer documentation or contact the computer manufacturer.
2. Insert the retail version of the SBS 2003 CD, Windows Server 2003 CD, Windows XP CD, or the Windows 2000 CD, in the computer CD or DVD drive.
   
   Note If you do not have a retail version CD, you can start the Recovery Console from the Windows XP Setup boot disks. You can create the Windows XP Setup boot disks on any Windows computer that has an Internet connection. For additional information about how to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   310994  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/ ) How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
3. Restart the computer.
4. When you receive the message that prompts you to press any key to start from the CD, press a key to start the computer from the CD.
5. When the Welcome to Setup screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
6. Select the Windows installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
7. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen, type the administrator password, and then press ENTER.
8. At the command prompt, type the appropriate Recovery Console commands to repair your Windows Server 2003 installation.
   
   Note For a list of commands that are available in the Recovery Console, type help at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.
9. To quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.