Restoring Windows 2000 backup to different hardware

[Hamish via WinServerKB.com]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to restore a current Windows 2000 Server backup to different
hardware. The old system is AMD based and the new hardware will be a virtual
machine running under Virtual Server 2005 on Windows 2003 64Bit Std R2. The
new virtual hardware based on an Intel Xeon processor. Problem is I just
can't seem to restore to the alternate hardware successfully:

So far I have performed the following:

1. Created the virtual hardware
2. Installed Windows 2000 SP2 and booted it successfully.
3. Then…Booted up in “Safe Modeâ€
4. Restored the full backup of the old server (Windows 2000 SP4)
5. Re-booted

Problem is that when the operating system loads it goes as far as the splash
screen, the progress indicator moves across the whole way and then my screen
goes blank – nothing. The system can still boot into safe mode without a
problem.

I know that restoring to different hardware can be tricky – especially when
the architecture is so different, although I don't think the problem is with
VS, rather the restore. I have to wonder though if perhaps it is just an old
driver that is preventing the system from fully loading?

Does anyone have any suggestions? or perhaps I didn't perform the restore
correctly?

Unfortunately the system is crashing before the event log starts so I can’t
track down the driver or service causing the problem. Not sure how to turn on
boot logging either…

The system isn't a domain controller or running Active Directory. Just
Windows and SQL 2000.

Thanks,
Hamish

 

[Peranth]

years ago, this may be a difficult question
but now, a feature owned by many backup software, named as universal restore, can do restoring windows server operating system backup to the other hardware. This is an easier way than the common restore ways or others.
now, server 2008 and server 2003 are more popular than server 2000 versions.
Google tell us many good utilities, also, based on my experience, two utilities with universal restore are reliable
the first one is easues todo backup in-built such feature in the todo backup
the second one is acornis true image seperate part in true image