How do I restore Public Folders to a different server from NT Backup

[Talligen]

So, I've been called in to clean up a mess another "expert" created.

Here's the deal, my client had been using an evaluation version of Exchange 2003 on an evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 EE (believe it or not, they paid over 10K for this single server setup). The eval expiration was coming up and they called an "expert" in to fix it. Well, they called me because the expert never finished the job.

Using NT Backup, the expert had backed up the Exchange IS (from the eval version) and tried to restore it to a brand new installation of SBS 2003 Server on the same box (so the original server is now gone...blown away, destroyed, kaput). The new Exchange server has a different host name, but has the same Exchange organization name (abc-corp.com).

So far, I was able to use the exmerge utility to recover the individual mailboxes, but the problem I'm running into is how to get the public folders restored.

Anyone have an idea?

 

[markdmac]

I think the simplest solution for you is:

1. Create a VM with the same names as were used before.
2. Restore the public folder into the VM.
3. Load Outlook into the VM
4. Use Outlook to export the public folders to PST files.
5. In your SBS environment, use a client PC to import the PST files into new Public Folders.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[Zelandakh]

If you are not confident about a VM you can use a real server too!

 

[Talligen]

I tried restoring a full backup to an identical system and installing Outlook onto it. Everytime I tried installing Outlook, the installation would hang. It copies the installation files, then hangs with out an error or event log entry. I tried two different CDs, an administrative install, and even over the network with another system. All had the same results.

I'm now in the process of building a VM using the eval CD. When its done, I'll attempt to install Outlook. If that works, I'll try to install Exchange and restore the IS backup.

As I type this, I realize, I don't have a copy of the eval version of Exchange 2003.

What do I do now?

 

[markdmac]

Download the eval from the MS web site.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

Check out my scripting solutions at

http://www.thespidersparlor.com/vbscript

Work SMARTER not HARDER. The Spider's Parlor's Admin Script Pack is a collection of Administrative scripts designed to make IT Administration easier! Save time, get more work done, get the Admin Script Pack.

 

[Zelandakh]

That will give you a full working copy BTW, not a feature limited one.

 

[Talligen]

They don't have Exchange Server 2003 in the downloads area anymore, now that Exchange 2007 is out. But I thought of another way to get it...buy a Microsoft Exchange Server Training book with an eval copy in it. It's not free, but it gets me the software. I'll try to pick something up tonight and hopefully have some positive results to report tomorrow.

Chris

 

[Talligen]

Well, it didn't work...or more accurately, I couldn't get the Restore to work. I tried several things including Recovery Storage Groups, but after days of fighting it, I tried reinstalling Outlook again...AND IT WORKED!!! To my amazement, it just worked...same system, same software.

So, now that I had Outlook installed, I simply connected to the Exchange server (the server has to have a network connection or Outlook won't connect to it, it doesn't have to be live, it just has to be enabled), exported the Public Folders to a .pst file, opened the .pst file from a client on the new server, and copied the folders over. Piece o' cake!

Thanks markdmac and Zelandakh for putting me on the right track, I truly appreciate your help.

Chris

 

[xmsre]

Go buy powercontrols and pull it directly off the tape and stuff it into your new exchange server.

http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/email-recovery-software/