-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 When backing up the System State, this does backup AD, but it also backs up other system related files, like the Registry, COM+ objects, IIS settings, IAS Settings, etc. You need to backup the Registry if you are backing up AD. If you are trying to restore mailboxes, you will need to backup the System State of your DC (the one that has the PDC Emulator), and restore it to another server off the network. Then, you can install Exchange 2000 on it EXACTLY like your existing environment, with the same ORG name and same Service Pack rev with the same hotfixes. If the hardware is not identical, then you might have to use the Hardware Wizard to install additional drivers for the different hardware that might be in the new system used for recovery. Especially if you are using Hardware RAID. You may also need to modify the ARC path in the BOOT.INI file to point to the correct partition where this installation of Windows 2000 resides. Then, once you have restored the IS to the new offline server, then you need to run the Cleanup wizard on the mailboxes of your IS. This will force the mailboxes to make sure they can connect back to their primary NT account in AD. If not, then you will have to Right-Click the mailbox, and select Connect. You will then have an option of selecting the Primary AD/NT account. You should then be able to fire up a workstation on the separate network, launch Outlook, and dump everything to a PST. If I were you, I would recommend investing in a true backup software, like Veritas BackupExec. Or you can use another backup software that is listed on the MSEXCHANGE.ORG site. Then, you can backup individual mailboxes. But, keep this in mind. Backing up individual mailboxes is like taking a back of M&M's, dumping the bag on the table, and picking up all of the red one's, then the blue one's, etc. This takes longer than just backing up the whole IS. But, restores are a lot easier when you do backup individual mailboxes. Also, Microsoft does not support this is way of backing up the IS. Hope this helps, CHRIS LYNCH - MCSE, CCNA, CCA NETWORK ENGINEER - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NRT Incorporated, 27271 Las Ramblas, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Chris.lynch@xxxxxxxxxx Tel 949.367.3406 - -----Original Message----- From: Saud Alshomer [mailto:saud@xxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Monday, July 01, 2002 12:34 AM To: [ExchangeList] Subject: [exchangelist] RE: AD No way to backup alone http://www.MSExchange.org/ - Re-Vamped! I tried to DCPROMO and got to the second screen "network credentials" entered a name and a pssword then the domain name. Here is what I get " the domain "domainname.com" is not an active directory or an active directory domain controler for the domain couldn't be contacted". Both of them are in the same network with different IP addresses and the new server is a member of Workgroup. Saud - ------------------------------------------------------ You are currently subscribed to this MSExchange.org Discussion List as: chris.lynch@xxxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe send a blank email to $subst('Email.Unsub') -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 7.1 Comment: Public PGP signature and key for Chris Lynch. iQA/AwUBPSCM6vl56xfvzmMfEQL9YACgiTuBT2hEf92iNxSqg1PmaZWW/NQAnjXL tx+3YNlu8xbcjLSJct5jGG89 =FoXy -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----