Win 2000 Server - MS Exchange Problems - URGENT

[Mystical_Titan]

Hi all.

I need some help. I hope someone has the patience to read all this.

I client of mine has a server running Windows 2000 Server (SP4). The past few weeks they've been having problems with their Microsoft Exchange. Everything on the server side appears to be running fine, but when you try and send / receive on the client side, Outlook reports that the Exhange is disconnected. This is the same on all the machines.

What I've realised is that if I restart the Microsoft Exchange Information Store service, the connection is restored, but not for very long. It drops again quickly, after a few minutes, a few seconds or even straight away. The Microsoft Exchange Information Store service is still running, however.

The server is quite old and is being replaced within the next few weeks (the new server is already here), but until then, their mail will be down and this is of course a major problem for them.

I tried running a defrag of the database files, but I am unable to. The command prompt returns a I/O error on the hard drive (which is starting to fail). I also tried running a scan and repair of the database files, but the command prompt says that the server can't be found.

Can anyone offer me any advice on how to get the Exchange running properly again? It would be VERY MUCH appreciated!

[RuadRauFlessa]

I would say that you have a hardware issue. Looking at anything else before that hardware has been sorted is kind of pointless to say the least.

[Mystical_Titan]

Well like I said, the hard drive is starting to fail, but it would be pointless replacing it now as the new server is already here. I thought maybe there was something I could do to get the exchange running anyway.

[RuadRauFlessa]

Nope if the hardware fails there is only one thing to do. On the other hand if it is just the one drive which is in a critical condition, you can always move the mail store over to a different drive. Even an extarnal drive would do for the time being until you managed to get the new server up and running.

[Mystical_Titan]

Mmm... that could work... how would I go about that? Is it a complicated process?

[RuadRauFlessa]

Not really complicated. It might take some time though depending on the size of the mail store in question.

All you need to do is make sure that the new drive is up then go into the properties of the mail store and set it's log and file locations to the new drive. When you apply it will attempt to move the mail store. It has to take it down and then move it so while this is busy everyone will be kicked off the mail. I take it this is not an issue as no one can connect in any case. It should take about the same time it would as when you manually copy the mail store over to the new drive.

[Mystical_Titan]

I will give that a try. Thanks.

[Sojourn]

backup backup backup
cannot exclaim it more

[RuadRauFlessa]

Yeah well that goes without saying. You should always have a current and working backup before doing any configuration change to any kind of infrastructure service. It is covered in Admin101

[Mystical_Titan]

I have a backup of the data, but the client wasn't into the habit of making any themselves. We're implementing a backup system along with the new server.

[RuadRauFlessa]

Nice going MT

[Belix]

Had an issue with a corrupt 2003 store that resulted in it dismounting the store after a few minutes each time. Don't know what caused the corruption but the two exchange tools solved the issues overnight.

[Mystical_Titan]

Which tools are those?

[Mystical_Titan]

Well, absolutely zero luck.

The server is too old and too slow and too broken. I did however manage to get a copy of the .edb file off the server. Is there any utility that I can use to scan and repair the file on another machine?

[Anthro]

For free, highly unlikely - seen some tools that are approx $300 .. sad days..good luck bud.

[Mystical_Titan]

Oh well. Guess they'll just have to accept that.

Tools to transfer mails to PST files?