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ERROR_DS_SAM_NEED_BOOTKEY_FLOPPY
Security Account Manager needs to get the boot key from floppy disk.
ERROR_DS_SAM_NEED_BOOTKEY_FLOPPY is Win32 error 8530 (0x00002152).
What to verify
Verify whether the system can read and validate the removable media containing the expected SAM boot key. Check SAM and System events, boot-key mode, and media identity and read result.
Likely causes
- legacy SysKey mode stores the startup key on removable media.
- the media is absent or unreadable.
- the wrong key disk was supplied.
- the device needed to read the media is unavailable.
Troubleshooting steps
- Collect SAM and System events.
- Record boot-key mode.
Handling, retry, and recovery
Locate the authorized key media or restore through the documented recovery process; do not substitute arbitrary key files.
Related errors
ERROR_DS_SAM_NEED_BOOTKEY_PASSWORD indicates password-based startup-key mode
Example
A legacy server restored to new hardware cannot access its original key disk. The recovery plan uses the escrowed system-state backup rather than attempting to fabricate media.
References
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