Windows Server 2012 or earlier: STOP c0002e2 Directory services could not start

x360Recover Troubleshooting

Written By Tami Sutcliffe (Super Administrator)

Updated at February 9th, 2023

Problem

When booting a protected system with a Windows Server 2012 server domain controller (on either an appliance or within Virtual Office), you may encounter this message:

 STOP: error c0002e2 Directory Services could not start

Symptom

In a domain controller server, after a dirty shutdown or power outage, you may face this message:

 Directory Services are unable to start 

with a stop code of c00002e2:     


Potential cause

STOP: c00002e2 Directory Services could not start because of the following error: A device attached to the system is not functioning.

Error Status: 0xc0000001. Please shutdown this system and reboot  into Directory Services Restore Mode, check the event log for more detailed information."


Resolve this issue

Follow the instructions below to resolve the c00002e2 error: 

1. Restart the server and press F8 key; Select Directory Services restore mode.

2. Log in with the local administrator username and password.

3. Type: cd \windows\system32

4. Type: NTDSUTIL

5. Type: activate instance NTDS

6. Type: files

7. If you encounter an error stating that the Jet engine could not be initialized, exit out of ntdsutil.

8. Type: cd\

9. Type: md backupad

10. Type: cd \windows\ntds

11. Type: copy ntds.dit c:\backupad

12. Type: cd \windows\system32

13. Type: esentutl /g c:\windows\ntds\ntds.dit

14. This performs an integrity check. The results will indicate that the jet database is corrupt.

15. Type: esentutl /p   c:\windows\ntds\ntds.dit

16. Agree with the prompt.

17. Type: cd \windows\ntds

18. Type: move *.log c:\backupad   (or just delete the log files)

This should complete the repair and restore normal system functions. 


Verify the repair

1. Type: cd \windows\system32

2. Type: ntdsutil

3. Type: activate instance ntds

4. Type: files 

You should no longer get an error when you do this.

Type: info 

The file information should now appear correctly.


If a database analysis is required:  

From the NTDSUTIL command prompt:      

1.    Type: Semantic Database Analysis

2.    Type: Go



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