Exchange 5.5 reinstall on same W2K server

[ktechit]

Here's my scenario regarding our Exchange 5.5 server -

Windows 2000
Exch 5.5 SP4
4 logical drives

(connected to other main site server)
Windows NT 4.0 SP6
Exch 5.5 SP4

ORIGINAL PROJECT - convert to AD
1. upgraded the O.S. on the Windows 2000 to 2003
2. (our AD migration of users/objects failed)

PROBLEM/ISSUE --
3. due to time constraints needed to put server back to
original configuration and get it up and running.

4. here's processes we originally tried -
TRIAL ONE:
a) Reinstalled Windows 2000
b) found that when installing Exch 5.5 on it, and
adding back to the Exch site org, it said "server
yyy is already a server in this site"
c) so, renamed the machine, then reinstalled Exch 5.5,
added that machine into the site fine.
d) renamed machine back to original name, then
copied original exchsrvr directories back in,
tried to update to sp4, couldn't go any further
because the directory service couldn't be started
(Error 531 - unable to read header of database
f:\exchsrvr\dsadata\dir.edb - Database may have
been moved. Recovery will continue with the database
in the new location.) ** although this was the
original dir.edb.
TRIAL TWO:
e) uninstalled Exch 5.5 (after making sure exchsrvr
directories copied elsewhere on the drives)
f) renamed server to a brand new name
g) installed Exch 5.5, added it to the site
h) verified all Exch srvces running, then updated to
SP4
i) verified again that all Exch srvces running
j) copied our priv and pub databases back to
the appropriate exchsrvr directory on the correct
drive.
k) attempted to run isinteg -patch - ok
l) downed services, renamed server to original
server name, restarted
m) ran isinteg -patch again - ok
n) tried to restart services for exch - no go
"unexpected error 0xc0040000 - the microsoft exchange
server computer is not available. either there are
network problems or the Microsoft Exchange server
computer is down for maintenance. Microsoft server information store id no: 8004011d-0526-00000000 >> occurred."





BACKUPS -
A. Online backup of all of Exchange db and dir and
mailboxes prior to any changes
B. original DB and Log files, and exchsrvr directories on
each drive were renamed, and left intact, so are
available to drop back in and use when ready.

QUESTIONS IN OUR (MY SR. ADMIN AND MYSELF) MINDS NOW:
- How do we get the server with the original name, added
back into the site?(since it says that server name is
already in the site)

- Do we delete that original server name out of the other
server's admin screen - we were scared to do this as it
shows the current list of everyone since we had moved
all mailboxes over to it earlier this year. (or will
that not matter, as all of the data is on the server
that we are trying to get back connected to the site
anyway)

thx for any help
ktechit

-

 

[Zelandakh]

server with original name into a Windows 2000 AD inf. Run setup /disasterrecovery

This will cure most of your woes.

 

[netometer]

Hi!
I am afraid that there is no “disasterrecovery” switch for Exchange 5.5.

There are two things which are critical for the successful restoring of your Exchange 5.5 server:
First: You should choose the option “Create a new Site” and use exactly the same Organization and Site names as the original one (Yes, this is valid in your case too, where you have more than one exchange servers in the target site).
Second: You should install Exchange 5.5 on the new server by using the “/R” switch - “Setup.exe /R”.

There is more info about the “/R” switch here:

http://www.netometer.net/video/index.html?tutorials/replace55/rswitch/rswitch.html

And here is a short demo for recovering and Exchange 5.5 server from backup:

http://www.netometer.net/video/index.html?tutorials/replace55/index.html

NetoMeter

http://www.netometer.net

 

[Zelandakh]

Doh! Yes, I wasn't watching which forum I was in...