Exchange 2000 removal / reinstall problems 2

[tosl]

I have a Small business server 2000 on my LAN with about 25 users. I was having problems with Exchange 2000 on the Small Business Server 2000, so I did I quite a bit of research and determined a uninstall and reinstall of E2K was the best option. I tried two proven methods from MS TechNet; (1) uninstall with the SBS2000 Setup disk (which was unsuccessful) (2) and a TechNet (Q260378) article that requires the removal of a dozen or more registry folders and other steps. The second procedure (In article Q260378), at the end of the article instructed me to go into Exchange System Manager and remove my server from the Server Object. I tried that with the instructions from the TechNet article and needless to say, it was telling me it could not be removed. I tried to reinstall exchange even though the server from Exchange System Manager couldn't be removed. The reinstall wouldn't work either. Here's more info on the reinstall attempt, when I went to reinstall exchange from the Small business server 2000 setup disk both sets of product key numbers are filled in and grayed out; I was unable to edit them and put the proper numbers in. Is there a way to ungray these so I can get to the install screen? Ultimately, all that I'm trying to accomplish is to install a fresh copy of exchange 2000 on my small business server 2000. If anyone has experienced these problems or just knows how to resolve them, please share with me how you were able to fix it. I'm open to suggestions. I'm at roadblock and don't know what to do next.

Sorry about the long-winded message, I tried to keep it as short as possible.

Thanks

 

[jaksen112]

Sounds really messy, If you can just blow out the server completely, reinstall windows then exchange (you do have backup right?) I wouldnt feel too safe setting up exchange on that server no matter how small the org is, and being that small it shouldnt take that long.

Good luck 01110000

 

[Xybertron]

Use ADSI Edit from the Windows 2000 Support Tools to remove the server object. Dan
Microsoft Exchange Support @ Microsoft

 

[tosl]

Hi Xybertron,

I went into ADSI Edit in the Windows Support Tools to try and remove the server object and I noticed there are three main folders with a bunch of folders under each main folder. The three main folders are labled (1)Domain NC, (2) Configuration Container and (3)Schema. All three folders have the server name and the domain name listed beside them. The question I have is, What do I remove, or do I remove all three folders?
The most important question I have is, Will removing any of these folders screw up anything on the sbs2000 server? I just want to be able to remove the server object as requested in the Technet article, so I can reinstall exchange 2000.

Thanks

Thank goodness tomorrows friday!

 

[Xybertron]

Yes it would ruin AD.

Goto Configuration Container
Configuration
Services
Exchange
Org
Admin Groups
Group
Servers
Delete the Server here. Dan
Microsoft Exchange Support @ Microsoft

 

[tosl]

Hi Xybertron,

I get to the last step "servers" and when I go to delete it it asks me "Do you want to delete this contanier and everything in it?". So, my question to you is, do I follow through with "yes" or will deleting the container and everything in it screw things up drastically.

It's better to be safe then sorry.

Thanks

 

[Xybertron]

I said THE server Not the container. Dan
Microsoft Exchange Support @ Microsoft

 

[wisandanu]

If you sure you delete the right server don't wory to say "YES"

Don't forget to delete server object at Domain NC > domain controller > nameserver

Also delete
Configuration Container > sites > sitename > nameserver

Good Luck

 

[tosl]

I just want to make sure about the last posting. Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't do what is instructed? My situation is explained in the first posting if you hear the story.

I don't want to screw things up on my server any have to reinstall the server from scratch.

I just looking for another opinion from an experienced techie.

Thanks for your help