Recovering data from failed server 1

[mobyduck]

I'd had a major hardware failure on an Exchange 2000 box that means it can't talk to the outside world without bluescreening. I managed to move some user boxes to another exchange server before it failed completely and have had to recreate new boxes for those users I couldn't migrate.

The data on the failed server store seems to be OK, but I can't check it out without Stores process running, and can't exmerge without blue screening.

Is there any way I can recover the data from the old server ? Suggestions please !!!

 

[Zelandakh]

If you REALLY want the data, Aelita Recovery Manager will get it from you. After you pony up the $1,000 for the software.

After that you can use it to save backing up store and brick as you only then need to back up at store level.

 

[mobyduck]

Thanks Zelandakh..have a star.

I've looked at a couple of bits of software including this one and Quest Recovery Manager, so it's nice to know that if I have to spend a grand, somebody rates it.

I was hoping to get away without using my very small budget !!

 

[Davetoo]

Just thinking out loud...but if you had a spare computer you could build it up and try to transfer the IS over to it, mount it, then run exmerge against it to retreive the data that way.

I'm Certifiable, not certified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

 

[RRM]

Hi,

This is what I would do.

1. Create new server with the same name as the old one
2. Run setup /disaster recovery on the server, this will restore all setings etc from your AD
3. Run ESEUTIL /p on the databases
4. run istineg on the databases
5. remove any log files
6. try to mount the stores and move mailboxes over.

NOTE : if you have moved some mailboxes already and they have not been deleted from the old store this may cause you a problem.

Good luck
RRM

 

[mobyduck]

Thanks to all for the tips..more or less where I was going.

The real problem is that the hardware failures keep occuring before I can tranfer the files off of the old machine or ove the mailboxes - the major fault is with the onboard NIC's and the PCI bus so I can't get a consistant network connection.

I've tried to copy the files to a USB hard disk, and guess what ?? Bluescreen again.

The other issue is that having built a new server to get everybody running again I either restore from an earlier backup and lose the current data, or give up and lose the historic data and calendar contents. Either way, no happy campers...

 

[RRM]

Hi

You can restore to a previous backup then replay the logs. This will restore the server to the state before your crash.
(provided your logs aren't corrupted)

RRM

 

[xmsre]

Powercontols from ontrack can read the data off the backup tape and merge it in to the new stores.

 

[N0ktar]

Just use a Knoppix or BartPE boot disk, establish network conenction (or use USB) and transfer data to a new server.
Save $1000.

 

[mobyduck]

Thanks for all the tips - I eventually got the data off using a safe boot and copying to an external USB drive.

I'm now starting a disaster recovery operation so hopefully my users will consider not lynching me for a little while longer.

MD