I think you would be better having another box for the move only. Load exchange on it, and move all mailboxes to it, and move the rules to it, and then uninstall exchange from the old box, then disjoin it from the domain, and then format the hard drive, load OS and exchange configure everything the way you like then move all mailboxes back. There is a KB Article about removing the last exchange server, which will give you step-by-step procedure. Good luck -----Original Message----- From: Ara [mailto:avvali@xxxxxxxxx] Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2005 11:23 PM To: [ExchangeList] Subject: [exchangelist] Rebuild an unhealthy server http://www.MSExchange.org/ Hi I have an exchange 2003 which during the last year has gone through lots of up and down. End of story, I want to rebuild the system on Monday when no one is at work. The machine is a dual XEON 2.8 with 2 GB of ram. If I recall it properly, these are steps that I need to take. It is not a DC 1.have a full backup of databases 2.to be on safe side, shutdown IIS admin and system attendant service with all dependencies and make a copy off database folder and transactions to be on safe side 3.reinstall windows with service pack 1 keeping the same server name and ip address 4.go in active directory, right click on old exchange system account and choose reset (not sure what this exactly do) 5.join the new machine to domain and reboot 6.install exchange with setup.exe/disaterrecovery switch (I assume there is no need for domain and forest prep) 7.reboot 8.install exchange service pack2 and reboot 9.Right click on first mail box store, dismount, and change the pre-made database location to second drive which old exchange was writing too. Same for public folders 10.run clean up agent on mail server and let it come with red cross on boxes 11.connect them back to users (about 50) Are these steps correct? One last question, do I have to go to every user account and setup email accounts or because active directory has not changed it will come of mail box automatically? Appreciated ------------------------------------------------------ List Archives: http://www.webelists.com/cgi/lyris.pl?enter=exchangelist Exchange Newsletters: http://www.msexchange.org/pages/newsletter.asp ------------------------------------------------------ Visit TechGenix.com for more information about our other sites: http://www.techgenix.com ------------------------------------------------------ You are currently subscribed to this MSExchange.org Discussion List as: mjtech@xxxxxxxxx To unsubscribe visit http://www.webelists.com/cgi/lyris.pl?enter=exchangelist Report abuse to info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx