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04.17.2008 at 03:03AM PDT, ID: 23330277
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System Failure - How to recover

Asked by optimus_nz in SBS Small Business Server, Exchange Email Server, Backup & Restore Software

Tags: Microsoft, Small Business Server, Standard 2003

Hi,

I'm going to see a site tomorrow that apparently has all sorts of problems with Active Directory and services... the server service isn't starting and it looks like there's AD corruption from constant power surges and the server breaking.
So. Apparently these have caused problems on the backups as well. We have at least one backup using the SBS Backup Wizard to an external hard drive. Does this include the System State?
Apparently rebooting to AD Restore mode doesn't work, it just hangs on a black screen... Can i restore the system state from this SBS Backup in Windows proper (Assuming I can get there)?
Is there any problem with restoring the SS from a couple of weeks ago, assuming no configuration changes have been made, just more data, more email...
If I can't get the System State back up I'm going to have to rebuild the operating system. I have no knowledge of how to get the exchange database out of here and into a functional format... can someone point me to a KB on this and give me an idea of how difficult this is? I'm figuring they've all got cached exchange mode running so I might not have to worry too much about this, can just export to PST and reimport into fresh build - can someone confirm this too?

Thanks in advance for your help... I can't wait to start this little project ;)
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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:15AM PDT, ID: 21375609

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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:21AM PDT, ID: 21375629

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About this solution

Zones: SBS Small Business Server, Exchange Email Server, Backup & Restore Software
Tags: Microsoft, Small Business Server, Standard 2003
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Solution Provided By: ormerodrutter
Participating Experts: 3
Solution Grade: B
 
 
[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:28AM PDT, ID: 21375655

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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:30AM PDT, ID: 21375664

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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:32AM PDT, ID: 21375674

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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:44AM PDT, ID: 21375735

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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:46AM PDT, ID: 21375745

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[+][-]04.17.2008 at 03:54AM PDT, ID: 21375781

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[+][-]04.22.2008 at 06:29AM PDT, ID: 21410880

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04.17.2008 at 03:15AM PDT, ID: 21375609
nfmartins:
So. Apparently these have caused problems on the backups as well. We have at least one backup using the SBS Backup Wizard to an external hard drive. Does this include the System State?
Yes, it should be there

For the rest of your questions please use this published document of microsoft i think this will resolve all of your doubts.
http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/d/8/bd8e1a40-d202-429a-8eb7-26300d62bcc9/BKU_BkupRstr.doc

NM



 
04.17.2008 at 03:21AM PDT, ID: 21375629
ormerodrutter:
TO answer your questions...

1. Yes unless you specifically taken it off the list.
2. No you can only restore SS data in Directory Service Restore mode.
3. In theory yes you can restore your SS (if you can get into DSR mode) from whenever but you will loss any system change since. But you mentioned your AD is corrupted so there is no guarantee the backup taken 2 weeks ago is healthy.
4. Assuming you have a full exchange backup, you need to install Exchange in /disasterrecovery mode in order to restore from backup. If you are building your server from scratch, don't install exchange for the time being, and only do so when AD is up and running. Then install Exchange using the switch. Mount the data store when finished.

Restoring Exchange is not as straight forward espeically on SBS. So if at all possible I will rather install a fresh copy of Exchange and reimport using PST files. IF your server is still up and running, you can use Exmerge to export user mailboxes to pst files from the server. So your assumption is correct.
Accepted Solution
 
04.17.2008 at 03:28AM PDT, ID: 21375655
optimus_nz:
Thanks ormerodrutter,
If I can get the SS restored, does that include AD? Given there have been no system changes, will this matter? If the backup works, it will be good - i'm not too worried about that, the power failures over the last 2 days have caused these problems.
I think i'll def use the PST option for the exchange - I remembered that as I was typing.
If the SS restores, and somehow goes wrong, is that the system toast?
 
04.17.2008 at 03:30AM PDT, ID: 21375664
GaryStevens:
How many times have I had to deal with this sort of problem? Too many. Last one was barely a week ago.
Take your time and don't let the Client rush you.

First: if they have been using cached email then check each user to confirm and put the email to one side. Your right. Export their ost to a pst and then import back into whatever exchange is running when you finish.
Second: have a good look at the backups and see what is really available. If the system state is there then it may not matter which day it was done as long as there have not been major changes to the OS.
Study the Event Logs in depth and if you can isolate the fault.

Make a full Backup using NTBackup to external storage like FreeAgent 350 or 500GB USB Disk. Get everything!

Now you can look at the best choice for recovery.
Gary
Assisted Solution
 
04.17.2008 at 03:32AM PDT, ID: 21375674
nfmartins:
Don´t get me wrong but you have there a document from Microsoft that explains how to restore a SBS 2003.
So  .....
 
04.17.2008 at 03:44AM PDT, ID: 21375735
ormerodrutter:
You can restore your server from the document link provided by nfmartins ONLY if your server is still functioning. I have seen this "online restore" failed before so I am still favour restoring from DSR mode.

Yes if your SS restore AD will be there too.
And yes to your second question - mind you your system can go wrong from hardware failure too so not necessary your AD is toast. I have seen cases that the motherboard is burnt & mirror broke, due to power cut.
 
04.17.2008 at 03:46AM PDT, ID: 21375745
optimus_nz:
cool - ta. i'm trying to do ss before anything else. all hardware diags have been run and all say ok. HP would never lie ;)
to restore the SS - just run NTBackup and run a restore from within that in the DSR mode?
 
04.17.2008 at 03:54AM PDT, ID: 21375781
ormerodrutter:
Try an online restore from nfmartins document first before doing a DSR restore. You have better GUI restoring online and you can see whats your system is actually doing.
 
04.22.2008 at 06:29AM PDT, ID: 21410880
nfmartins:
Please Give us your feedback.
NM
 
 
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