Know how to recover a 2k server with exchange2k?

[Zero]

I found a link online(can't find it now) that gives these steps to recover from a complete loss:

install server
service pack it to the previously installed SP
install exchange(disaster recovery mode)
service pack it tot he previously installed SP
Dismount Stores
delete all files from MDBdata folder
install Backup progam(Backup exec for us)
restore information store

But it doesn't work.....I tried. UGH!

I'm only concerned with recovering the public information store and being able to export it to a pst for backup. (is there anyway to extract the data from the information store without having to restore/install exchange and restore information store?)

Here's what i've done so far:

-reinstalled Windows 2k SBS
-installed BE 8.6 SBS
-reboot to AD Services Mode (safe mode)
-use BE to inventory/catalog most current backup tape
--select C: for Restore
--select M: for Restore
--select System State for Restore
--select Microsoft Information Store/First storage group

This seems too easy and I'm afraid it's not going to work at all! I'm guessing I'll have to rebuild again as suggested by the link above. ::sigh::


Zero

 

[Thor86]

You're telling me you never tested to restore from your backups?

BTW the link doesn't work for me.

 

[Zero]

I'm a consultant and was called by this company for help. I've never seen their setup before. Server crashed and they called me for help. They have a backup of the data, system state, and information store. However I'm having a real hard time figuring out how to extract their public folder data. I'm thinking I have to install everything from scratch and use all the same info(server name, OU names, etc) and I don't know that info. I'm at a loss. As of now, I installed everything from scratch and it's all running find and dandy but they don't have their public folder data that they really need(scheduling/contacts). What to do?

Zero

 

[Zero]

Anyone?

ANyone?

Beuhler?

 

[Czar]

ntbackup?

 

[alent1234]

i think you need help from PSS.

to restore e2k you need to install windows, SP, windows updates, then restore the system state restore and then the databases. The server's computer account needs to be exactly as it was before the crash. Since you added it to the domain you changed the computer account even though the name is the same.

I'm pretty sure that PSS can give you a procedure to restore the server, but I can't remember the details

to get the data from the databases you need a separate product like Ontrack


edit: looing at the second procedure you did. did these people back up their m drive? they are SCREWED.

Call MS Tech Support. It's going to cost $245 and you can pass the cost to the client. THe first line people are worthless, and they will probably transfer you to the second line people that know their business. The second line tech support people at MS all have experience and training in specific areas of their product. The first line people are outsourced tech support for answering stupid questions.

 

[Zero]

Yes, the M: drive is backed up and available for restore when running a catalog against the tape. This is what is available for restore(from tape backup):

C:
M:
System STate
Information Store

Were you saying "They're Screwed" because you weren't sure if the M drive was backed up? No worries...it appears to be backed up.

So yer saying I should restore the System State BEFORE the Information store? Is this the order you suggest trying?

1. Install w2k sbs
2. Install SP and updates
3. Restore System State(select only "system state" for restore in BE)
4. Restore Information Store (select only "information store" for restore in BE)


And yer saying I shouldn't install Exchange(AD) at all? Where in this process should I choose to restore "C:" or "M:" ? Should I Restore "C:" by itself between steps 1 and 2?(or not at all?) What about the "M:" drive. Should that be "checked" with the Information Store restore?(or not at all.

I really appreciate all your help!

zero

 

[Zero]

Are you saying I should use NTbackup instead of Backup Exec to restore the data that was backed up on type BY backup exec?


Zero

 

[alent1234]

here is how you should restore the server

install OS and leave in workgroup mode
install SP and updates
restore system state, this should rename the server to the right name
install exchange with /disasterrecovery switch
restore information store

the backup software doesn't matter as long as it's exchange aware

If you added the server to the domain earlier under the same name you may have made life harder for yourself since that would reset the computer account and the info on the system state backup would be outdated. The system restore would then have an old encryption password for the computer account since adding it to the domain would reset it and create a new one.

If you post the error codes you are getting I can try to look them up, but I think you should really call Microsoft PSS because you will now have to edit the active directory LDAP attributes to be able to restore the server.

Even then the person who originally set up the backup program to backup the M: drive may have screwed your client. M: is not a real drive and is just a vitrual representation of the c: drive. I forgot the exact reason for it, but Microsoft says not to touch it. Don't scan it with anti-virus software, don't back it up and don't try to put anything in there.