Topic Last Modified: 2008-03-18

This topic provides information about how to troubleshoot Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 setup when it fails with the following error: "The Exchange Server is in an inconsistent state. Only disaster recovery mode is available."

This issue may occur if the previous Exchange 2007 installation or un-install failed to complete. This situation leaves the Exchange 2007 server object in Active Directory and prevents a new Exchange 2007 installation.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, remove the Exchange 2007 server object in Active Directory.

Before You Begin

To perform this procedure, the account you use must be delegated membership in the local Administrators group. For more information about permissions, delegating roles, and the rights that are required to administer Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, see Permission Considerations.

Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) Edit (Adsiedit.msc) can be run from a client computer or server. The computer does not have to be a member of a domain, but you must have the rights to view and edit the Active Directory directory service domain to which you are connecting. For more information about how to use ADSI Edit, see Adsiedit Overview.

Important:
If you use ADSI Edit or any other Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) version 3 client, and you incorrectly modify the attributes of Active Directory objects, serious problems may occur. These problems may require you to reinstall Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Exchange 2007, or both Windows Server 2003 and Exchange 2007. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that occur if you incorrectly modify Active Directory object attributes can be solved. Modify these attributes at your own risk.

Procedure

To remove the Exchange 2007 server object in Active Directory

  1. Install ADSI Edit.

  2. Launch ADSI Edit. To do this, click Start, click Run, type adsiedit.msc in the text box, and then click OK.

  3. Locate the Exchange server object by going to the following location: CN=Configuration, DC= Domain Name, DC=com, CN=Services, CN=Microsoft Exchange, CN=<Organization Name>, CN=Administrative Groups, CN= <Exchange Administrative Group>, CN=Servers, CN=<Server Name>.

  4. Delete the server object.

  5. Remove the Exchange server's machine account from Security groups Exchange Servers and Exchange Install Domain Servers.