I totally understand what you are saying. You're best point is to call PSS which I will probably do.
As for what's running etc. there is not much I haven't said. There is Trend AV suite running on Server02 but it doesn't matter if it is lost. We are just about to start a Tech refresh when all servers will be rebuilt to 2003 and several servers replaced. The platform is OK. The servers are Dell and reasonably well spec'ed. If I had time to read all the whitepapers then I wouldn't be emailing here!!! Seriously, I have read some in the past but I am an all-round Sys Admin not an Exchange guru and I can't tell the client to wait 2 days while I read up the whitepapers before I even start!! One of our Tech Refresh items is to move to SBS 2003 so I am thinking of another option that is to remove Server02 and build SBS2003 then use ExMerge a third party util to remove the mailbox data and import it to SBS. Can you run ExMerge against Exchange if the services are not running? I think not. Which third party utils are any good? How about OnTrack Power Control? Any further assistance before the morning appreciated!! Thanks Ian -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ed Crowley [MVP] Sent: 22 August 2005 19:18 To: Exchange Discussions Subject: RE: Disaster Recovery problem You're running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Stop, take a deep breath, and assess the situation. As you all but admit, you started restoring things without considering what you were really doing. I think your best course of action would be to call PSS, pay the money, and have them step you through getting Exchange running on Server02. When you get Exchange running, I suggest you then assess why your servers are flaky. You didn't say exactly what you're running on the servers, your hardware platforms, and other relevant details, so we can't really help you with any diagnosis. I'd recommend that you buy a high-quality platform (such as my employer's ProLiant series) if you don't already have top-of-the-line hardware, install Windows 2003, the latest service pack, all relevant patches, and then install Exchange, joining the existing organization. Then I'd move all the mailboxes, public folders and other functions to it. Then I'd decommisssion Server02 gracefully. Before you do any restores, if I were you, I'd download all the disaster recovery whitepapers, read them, understand them, and practice them in your lab. Ed Crowley MCSE+Internet MVP Freelance E-Mail Philosopher Protecting the world from PSTs and Bricked Backups!T -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ian Batty Sent: Monday, August 22, 2005 10:50 AM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: Disaster Recovery problem I have a failed Exchange server that I need to get back online ASAP. Here is the scenario: Server01 - Windows 2000 DC Veritas Backup Exec and tape drive, file and print server. Server02 - Windows 2000 DC and Exchange 2000 Server02 recently became very 'flaky' several apps stopped working including Internet Explorer. Exchange was still running but the whole server was not satisfactory. We are about to do a complete tech refresh and need to remove Server01 to be rebuilt. So I want to move the file and print sharing to Server02. But before I do this I want to fix the issues with Server02. So I use Veritas to restore all of Server02 remotely from Server01's tape drive. All files except the MDBDATA folder containing the Exchange Databases and Logs. I do this in DC Restore mode. When I reboot Server02 it behaves just as bad as before but now Exchange does not run! Examining the services I find that MS Exchange SA is 'stopping' and MS Exchange Info Store is stopped and also MTA Stacks too. Maybe I made a mistake in running the restore like this? Anyway ... I need to get the email back online as quick as possible. Here are my thoughts and I am hoping for some input on which would be best!! Thanks! 1. Install Exchange on Server01 and restore the Exchange data there - I am not sure if this is possible because the server has a different name? Also it might be a long process, especially as all clients would have to be pointed to the new server? Anyway I can then remove Server02 and get on with the Tech Refresh starting with it instead of Server01 - it makes no difference! 2. Wipe the C drive of Server02 and keep the D drive (with the MDBDATA folder on it) reinstall Windows 2000. Install Exchange in /disaterrecovery mode. Then attach the data sitting on the D drive. Is this possible? Or should I do a Veritas restore of the Info Store to the 'new' Server02? Or maybe I should just do a full server rebuild including drive D? I presume I would take off the Transaction Logs first to play back in later? I am already backing up the MDBDATA folder to another server as I type! 3. Reinstall Windows 2000 over the top of Server02 to try and cure the 'flakyness'. I already started this but it hung at about the 4th wizrd screen (before it even got started!) so I would have to boot from the CD. I then imagine I would have to reinstall Exchange over itself too. I think I favour option 2. but I need to make sure it will work and if there is anything to look out for. I have the 'Disaster Recovery Exchange.pdf' from Microsoft but none of the situations seem to match mine exactly. Any good links to help me? Sorry for the long post, hope someone can help! Thanks Ian Ian Batty Senior Support Engineer ExploreIT Ltd _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=exchange To subscribe: http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. 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