Re: SBS 2K corrupt(?) mailboxes

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

hi Phil,

I know how you mean, I have been in the same situation wondering if I'll
make things worse. To mitigate against mistakes, make a copy of the
Exchange store and all the transaction logs. This way, you can roll back
by restoring the original files. Just make sure you don't copy in the wrong
direction!! Given today's HD sizes, this shdn't be an issue.

I don't know if GFI is causing issues. May need to check with their tech
support. As for the AV, make sure you exclude the folders where the
store's files are, among a few other locations.

If the remaining HD space is so small, that would not be a good idea.
I'd ensure there is way ample space left where the - at least double of
what I need (at least spare 16GB). I'd set the temp folders to another
drive - the USB or other drive.

Isinteg is useful to find out what possible issues exist in the DB. The KB
mentions which options to use, and the help is useful enough.
Typically, you'd need to run through several passes. The feedback will
give an idea what to expect. You might lose some data, but then those
were probably gone anyway. The idea is to get the store back to a
working condition, otherwise new stuff that come in could get corrupted
too.
Finally mount the store and see the results.

If that doesn't work, you need to restore the files, and try using ESEutil/p
and use the approach mentioned in the KB.

HTH,
Eugene Tan
SBS MVP

===========================
"Phil Partridge" <philp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:QNt9pBAExJPHFwtj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Eugene,

Thanks for time and patience!

In article <u86INV7JIHA.4684@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Eugene Tan
<TechHelp-at.insights.com.sg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
hi Phil,

As there're several possible causes, it's helpful to use an approach that
could eliminate possibilities.

Agreed.


Defragging the store does't fix corruption but helps to free up space.
If you fix the corruption and it recurs, this is indicates that something
else
is contributing to the problem.

I understand this, but it helps my peace of mind to know I have the
space.


Consider the possible causes of the problem.
Hardware RAID which is transparent to the OS is good, but is the h/w
fast enough or are there no issues with it? If there are, it may not show
up with files, but it may occur on databases such as Exchange. And the
problem will still recur after repairing.

I don't think this is the problem.. Won't know until it is 'fixed' and
re-occurs.


Since you're using some archiving software, is it possible to temporarily
disable or uninstall?

Yes. This was the GFI Mail Essentials (not very good) archive..
The Administrator account on the Server uses OE to allow me to go
through all the undeliverable email. The email retrieval for the first
400+ messages fails with previous error message.. One entry per msg. in
Event Log as well.
This has been stopped. - Could it be GFI was 'stripping' msgs. from the
Exchange store? I will see if the number of irretrievable messages now
stays stable.


Clean shutdown means consistent. It doesn't mean the store has no
problems.
Try to understand what each process is trying to check and accomplish,
don't just follow. I know there is much to grasp. The KBs provide an
overview and some background.

GRR! So why doesn't the KB say 'State will say clean shutdown if the db
is consistent'. - It's only obvious if you already know! ;-)

True, there is much to grasp, but Client needs a 'fix'. - Haven't got
time / money to spend a ?month? on courses to become an Exchange expert.
Well not this year anyway.


Do you still have the problem email(s) that can't open? Can it be
deleted?

Yes. On other Client machines the problem is still there. - These are
not the oldest emails, so I do not think this is due to GFI.

Could it be the anti-virus software? - CA InoculateIT. It is old, but
still updates, and appears to be effective.


Use Isinteg to check for problems in the database. You may need to run
several passes (use a few times). Again, make a backup of the original
files because you may need to restart alternate repairs with this set.
If this fixes the issues, then you're good to go. You'll know if you
mount the store and the bad files are gone.

Right, need to find correct format of command-line for this.. Has been
suggested I use -test switch, to see if it finds anything, before
committing to making changes.


Eseutil /p is a 'hard' repair - it dumps data in the logs not yet
committed
to the store. But it helps fix the store by ignoring what was not
comitted.
You need Isinteg to fix problems ESEutil /p causes.
Use this step if the above doesn't solve the problem emails.
The bad emails may still appear but you shd be able to delete them.

I am worried about KB saying that single instances will be lost, and DB
will grow etc.
Re-read your last five lines, forgetting all your knowledge (except what
is in KB313184)! - That is sort or where I am.

PRECIS
Have errors.
DB's are 'Consistent'.
Have defraged to make sure I have space.

Now madly reading up, trying to find an 'idiots guide' to fixing without
messing up.


Many thanks,
Phil Partridge.


HTH,
Eugene Tan
SBS MVP

================================

Philip Partridge


.

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