Windows Server 2016 - Roles Features Issue & Cannot install .net Framework

[COMPSOS]

Hello,
We need to install .Net Framework, either version 4.7.2 or 4.8, for a third party backup software and getting the error:


We have tried version 4.8 as well with same error
-Tried SFC /Scannow -showed errors that it could not repair
-Tried .net Repair tool
-Did not try DISM
-Did reboot after Scannow
- Also see error in Manageability in Server Manager about adding Roles & Features error attached below


Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[COMPSOS]

Exported the Registry Key-ComponentBasedServicing as Regitry Hive file if it helps

 

[Maxstar]

Hi and welcome to Sysnative,

The Packages key of the Component Based Servicing key is completely empty! As you are trying to install a third party backup I assume you do not have any recent backups? Or do you have separate backups of the registry and especially the SOFTWARE hive.

 

[COMPSOS]

Thank you for the prompt reply and attention!
I thought maybe since it was a 13MB file, it had something in it and I am not sure how large they typically are. We do have backups but I am not sure when this occurred and the tapes may have been overwritten by now. It also appears that even though it shows there are no Windows updates available, (all up to date), no security type updates have been installed for quite some time-like months! Just shows "Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool" in history. So that leads me to believe this happened a long time ago. Do you know what my options are? This is a Domain Controller so I know there are issues with running a repair of OS-I think? I will have to go onsite and look through tapes. Remotely, I am seeing backups on the tape in drive from 2018--for system state, etc:

 

[COMPSOS]

Attached a CBS log from last 2 days of work

 

[Maxstar]

(...) So that leads me to believe this happened a long time ago.

That's right, the latest SSU is (14393.3622) - 14 apr 2020. And this is the LastModified date (2018/04/27/19:37:31) for Optional Features.

Since you do not have backups and this server seems to be out-dated for years we cannot use a very similar server as source.

Do you know what my options are? This is a Domain Controller so I know there are issues with running a repair of OS-I think?

Are you able to clone this server to another environment e.g. virtual when it's a physical server using Disk2vhd from Sysinternals.

 

[COMPSOS]

I may have other backups onsite...they are tapes. It is backed up daily as a full backup. I am not sure if they are good about changing them daily and it seems they must not be overwritten according to the image I sent.
So if I find a registry file before April 14th 2020, do you think I could import the Packages only? The server was put into production in April of 2018 so no new roles or features have been added since. I am not experienced at cloning, but are you saying if I clone it to a virtual, then I can rebuild/repair the physical? As a side note, this is a very small office-only support 3 workstations and very few files on it shared. I could probably repair in a weekend. It is functioning right now.

 

[Maxstar]

(...) So if I find a registry file before April 14th 2020, do you think I could import the Packages only?

Yes sometimes this is the solution, but in this case the 'Packages' and 'PackageIndex' are empty. That's why I asked if you are able to clone this server in a testing environment.

... but are you saying if I clone it to a virtual, then I can rebuild/repair the physical?

When the production server is cloned into a virtual environment we can safely test some things. If it works you can perform the same fix(es) on the production server.

 

[COMPSOS]

Also, this server is a Dell Poweredge with Silver/Pro Support warranty in effect so I may call them too. But I appreciate any advice. I am researching the empty CBS packages.

 

[COMPSOS]

Oh, I see on the cloning..I'll look at your link! Thanks so much. Do you have any experience on a OS repair method when it's a Domain Controller? Also, nothing besides updates (no other software except backup, ESET AV, Chrome etc) was added to this server after it was put into production. It just has some shared files and is really overkill for environment probably. In fact I think they could get by without it since they are more web-based now for functioning.

 

[Maxstar]

Yes, you can run Disk2vhd on running systems to create an .vhdx-image. Then you can load this image into a Hyper-V environment for example even when it's a Domain Controller etc.

(...) Dell Poweredge with Silver/Pro Support warranty in effect so I may call them too

I'm not familiar with this type of support from Dell, but I don't think they offer support for these kind of issues?

 

[COMPSOS]

So can Windows 10 be used as guest to load a Virtual Test environment for a Server? I'll look into it but didn't want to get off on hte wrong foot..I do not have any test boxes except a Windows 10 laptop to use.

 

[Maxstar]

Yes, you can run Server 2016 in an Hyper-V environment on Windows 10.