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Recently been seeing Windows Server/Workstations dropping off the network after a reboot. Device Manager shows "Unknown" for the whole device tree (not just the individual component)
Issue is affecting a random selection of machines, Windows 10 (1909), Server 2016 (1607), 2019 (1809), (Virtual and Physical). Unable to confirm a correlation between these systems (Thought this might be related to VMwareTools but occurred on some physical Dell workstations)
Running the 1909 upgrade (Already running 1909) fixed issue on desktop systems. Windows update, SFC & DISM unable to resolve issue.
Unable to find any similar technet/blog posts on this specific issue.
Looking for any guidance or help troubleshooting to confirm the cause.
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
HI
1.can you enter below powershell command on both normal server 2016 and issue server 2016 then look the update histroy ?
is there any difference between normal server 2016 and issue server 2016 ?
is there wsus server in your environment?
$QFE = Get-hotfix -computername $server | select-object -property Description,HotFixID,InstalledBy,InstalledOn | out-file c:\windows\temp\$server.txt
chang $server to hostname
2.when the issue first happen on issue w2016 server ?
is there any log recorded in system log,setup log and application log on issue server?
3."Thought this might be related to VMwareTools but occurred on some physical Dell workstations"
if you update the unknow device driver on physical dell workstations in device manager, will the same issue happen ?
4.did you check if there is virus on issue server ?
is there logs in antivirus software after killing virus on issue physical dell workstations ?
Thank you for the comments and time posting.
I’ve troubleshooted this in various detail since posting but unable to find a quick fix. The workaround was to reinstall Windows on the desktop systems and deploy new images for the VMs (attaching the VMDK files).
Fortunately, this issue only affected a handful of systems (in a large organisation) and we have not seen the occur since, so will focus on new issues.
Appreciate your help.
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issue has also been occurring on physical desktops
For the Dell desktops I'd check the latest firmware, ROM bios, chipset and driver support packs have been installed. The chipset allows the operating system to find and use devices integrated into the mother board.
--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
@Anonymous Thank you for the feedback. I'll post on VMware forums as well to try and confirm if this is related to VMwareTools (Although the issue has also been occurring on physical desktops as well)
Looks like a problem with the VMTools being provided by the hypervisor. I'd try asking for help from vendor or possibly in their forums.
https://communities.vmware.com/
For the Dell desktops I'd check the latest firmware, ROM bios, chipset and driver support packs have been installed. The chipset allows the operating system to find and use devices integrated into the mother board.
--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
