Problem: I have a pc running windows server 2012 essentials that fails to boot. Question: Is it possible to reinstall it without losing any data? Background info: Black screen appears after windows logo. can not get past this to login screen where it asks you to press ctrl+alt+del to login. same problem occurs when trying to boot safe mode, repairs don't work, no backups, installation disc doesn't do anything. currently using storage spaces across 5 discs.
I had a storage pool setup on an old Server2012 test server. I formatted the main HDD and installed Windows 8.1. I was surprised to find it found the old storage pool and all the files were accessible, So you should be able to access or recover your files easily enough. As for fixing the Server, I'll leave that to the guys that know about Servers.
This is not a problem after you reinstall you just need to add the pool as a virtual drive again and your set, I have done this lots of time with servers that don't run raid, don't panic when you first start up and it's not showing in my computer