Upgrade In-Place SCCM 2012 R2 - WIndows Server 2008 R2 to 2012 R2

Today, in the post I will show you how to migrate SCCM operating system from Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012 R2 in-place. I had some problems and that is what I will try to describe in more detail. You can do a in-place upgrade from:

• Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012 R2 (SCCM 1602 or higher)
 
You cannot go from Server 2008 R2 to Server 2016, Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012!

 

The key reason for this change is that most installations of SCCM 2012 R2 are based on Windows Server 2008 R2. And if the SCCM evolves, the operating system also has to evolve. Another possible approach would be to install a Windows Server 2012 R2 from scratch and do a restore of the SCCM and database (keeping the same name and IP). I think the first approach is simpler and I will describe it.

 

Windows 10 Anniversary Update vs Bitlocker. Error 0xc00000bd

 

Yesterday I decided to make some Updates and one of them was the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. I heard that there are many problems, but I decided to risk. Basically the news of this Update are these: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/features

The installation went smoothly and the Windows version went from 1511 to 1607. Only one reboot ahead... oh.. did I said that my computar had bitlocker configured? So, after restart it I put my bitlocker PIN and then, for the first time, I had to enter the Bitlocker Recovery key (yes, that key that we must save in the USB stick or print. If you have Bitlocker, please keep in mind that this key is very important and should always be present. I have mine in a Cloud service. I think it is a good option).

Then, after I entered the numerical key, a BSOD appeared (Blue Screen of Death) with 0xc00000bd.
Something like this:

Recovery

         Your PC/Device needs to be repaired

         A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed.

         Error code: 0xc00000bd

         You'll need to use recovery tools. If you don't have any installation media (like a disc or USB

         device), contact your PC administrator or PC/Device manufacturer.

         Press Enter to try again         Press F8 for Startup Settings

In short, I lost access to my disk drive and Windows could not start up. I could not put a DVD to repair, because the system could  not recognize the Drive. Let's see how to solve this situation without loosing data.