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Old Exchange Server 2007 configuration exists even after reformatting of server

I am setting up a test network with exchange 2007. The information store became corrupted and so I removed the old copy and began to reinstall, this time giving the server name a different name (as I miss-typed the old server name). Upon reinstallation, I saw the old servername and the new one in the exchange console. This confused AD and account and a number of other things so I decided to wipe out the server, reinstall windows server 2008 and reinstall exchange 2007...but there it is again!

I don't understand how the wiping out of a server and reinstall can keep the old exchange configuration in there? Sure you cant do anything but I have to change many of the configs to the current server name and now I cant get exchange working at all.

Is there some AD schema objects being recalled or something? I dont understand!

Highly frustrating

ncheung

You cannot simply remove Exchange 2007 through a simple add/remove programs alone. Please see the attached link regarding how to remove Exchange 2007 from a server.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927464

Network_Padawan

ASKER

even if i wiped the server out and started from scratch? I see the two previous installation on my 3rd attempt in the console under server configuration.

SOLUTION

mzzltijn

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ncheung

Yes, uninstalling Exchange 2007 requires more than just using add/remove programs or the setup program. You must complete the uninstall process by also remove it from active directory.

Quote from KB:
"Exchange 2007 is removed differently from earlier versions of Exchange Server. You cannot manually remove Exchange 2007 from a computer. The only supported ways to remove Exchange 2007 are to use Add or Remove Programs or to use the Setup program on the Exchange 2007 CD to remove Exchange 2007 and to remove the Exchange 2007 object from Active Directory."

ncheung

As noted by mzzltijin, using ADSIedit will speed up the process but do becareful when using the tool. You can cause a lot of havok if you aren't sure of what you are doing.

Network_Padawan

ASKER

Do I run ADSIEDIT on the exchange server or on the Global Catalog server?

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ncheung

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Network_Padawan

ASKER

Sorry I can not find the CN=configuration or the CN=Services or anything else you have listed. All I see is the AD structure as seen in the AD users and computers.

I see DC= Domain Name, DC=com, then underneath the following:

CN=Builtin
CN=Computers
CN=Domain Controllers

etc etc

Sorry I just cant seem to find it

Network_Padawan

ASKER

Oh wait I found! Sorry

Thanks :)