Database index catalog remnant

I've removed a test database that I created on E2013, but it seems that I can't get rid of the index catalog in the directory I created the database in.  I'm at a loss as to were to go with this one, the database is gone, not even a remnant in the Configuration Container of ADSIedit.

I've stopped all the exchange services, and removed the catalog directories (indexmeta, Journal, ms) but they came back after restarting.  Seems to be stuck in the index service somewhere.

November 9th, 2012 1:32am

seems like those are related to the new/other database which is currently mounted now. you don't have any database mounted?
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November 9th, 2012 5:32am

I have one other database, and it has it's catalog with it just fine, and healthy.
November 9th, 2012 7:47am

Hi Korbyn,

Is this a standalone server or a member of DAG? I test it in my lab(still Exchange 2013 preview version)

"I've stopped all the exchange services, and removed the catalog directories (indexmeta, Journal, ms) but they came back after restarting.  Seems to be stuck in the index service somewhere."

When you try to remove the directories, you just need to stop the Microsoft Exchange Search Host Controller service. After you start the service, the directories appears again.

I also try to remove all relevant keys in the Registry Editor, including:

\HLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\v15\Search\IndexStatus\databaseGUID

However, the folder still appears.

I guess this may cuase by the new FAST search engine.

I am trying to involve someone familiar with this topic to further look at this issue.

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Subscriber Support, contact tnmff@microsoft.com.

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November 9th, 2012 10:54am

Just a stand-alone, no DAG.

I'm glad to know that someone else was able to reproduce the same issue.

I did a search through the registry and found

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\ActiveManager\Databases

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\ActiveManager\dbstate

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Replay\State

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Replay\StateLock

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Search\IndexStatus

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\WorkerTaskFrameWork\IdStore\MonitorDefinition

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\WorkerTaskFrameWork\IdStore\ProbeDefinition

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\WorkerTaskFrameWork\IdStore\ResponderDefinition

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeMailboxAssistants\PoisonControl

HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Transport Submission\PoisonControl

Seems that removing a database via the web console doesn't work that well.  That's a lot of left over junk.

I deleted all those entries, and started the services back up again.  The directory still comes back, and a warning with the service start-up:

Log Name:      Application
Source:        MSExchangeFastSearch
Date:          11/9/2012 10:42:48 AM
Event ID:      1010
Task Category: General
Level:         Warning
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      EX01.server.com
Description:
An operation attempted against a FAST endpoint exprienced an exception. This operation may be retried. Error details: Microsoft.Exchange.Search.Fast.PerformingFastOperationException: An Exception was received during a FAST operation. ---> System.ServiceModel.FaultException: Cannot invoke service method GetFlows. No service instances were available.

This may mean that the admin service is unable to talk to the CTS or IMS services; please ensure that your service is running.

It may also mean that the service is busy reconfiguring itself. This happens after enabling or disabling debugging or preview (for example).In that case, the service should be restored as soon as it has reconfigured itself.
Parameter name: services

Server stack trace:
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.HandleReply(ProxyOperationRuntime operation, ProxyRpc& rpc)
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.Call(String action, Boolean oneway, ProxyOperationRuntime operation, Object[] ins, Object[] outs, TimeSpan timeout)
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannelProxy.InvokeService(IMethodCallMessage methodCall, ProxyOperationRuntime operation)
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannelProxy.Invoke(IMessage message)

Exception rethrown at [0]:
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.HandleReturnMessage(IMessage reqMsg, IMessage retMsg)
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.PrivateInvoke(MessageData& msgData, Int32 type)
   at Microsoft.Ceres.ContentEngine.Admin.FlowService.IFlowServiceManagementAgent.GetFlows()
   at Microsoft.Exchange.Search.Fast.IndexManager.<GetFlows>b__16()
   at Microsoft.Exchange.Search.Fast.IndexManagementClient.PerformFastOperation[T](Func`1 function, String eventLogKey)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="MSExchangeFastSearch" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="32772">1010</EventID>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>1</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2012-11-09T18:42:48.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>12191</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>EX01.server.com</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>Microsoft.Exchange.Search.Fast.PerformingFastOperationException: An Exception was received during a FAST operation. ---&gt; System.ServiceModel.FaultException: Cannot invoke service method GetFlows. No service instances were available.

This may mean that the admin service is unable to talk to the CTS or IMS services; please ensure that your service is running.

It may also mean that the service is busy reconfiguring itself. This happens after enabling or disabling debugging or preview (for example).In that case, the service should be restored as soon as it has reconfigured itself.
Parameter name: services

Server stack trace:
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.HandleReply(ProxyOperationRuntime operation, ProxyRpc&amp; rpc)
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannel.Call(String action, Boolean oneway, ProxyOperationRuntime operation, Object[] ins, Object[] outs, TimeSpan timeout)
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannelProxy.InvokeService(IMethodCallMessage methodCall, ProxyOperationRuntime operation)
   at System.ServiceModel.Channels.ServiceChannelProxy.Invoke(IMessage message)

Exception rethrown at [0]:
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.HandleReturnMessage(IMessage reqMsg, IMessage retMsg)
   at System.Runtime.Remoting.Proxies.RealProxy.PrivateInvoke(MessageData&amp; msgData, Int32 type)
   at Microsoft.Ceres.ContentEngine.Admin.FlowService.IFlowServiceManagementAgent.GetFlows()
   at Microsoft.Exchange.Search.Fast.IndexManager.&lt;GetFlows&gt;b__16()
   at Microsoft.Exchange.Search.Fast.IndexManagementClient.PerformFastOperation[T](Func`1 function, String eventLogKey)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>


November 9th, 2012 9:48pm

Restart the Indexing Service. It'll lock the directory and not release until it is stopped.
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November 10th, 2012 2:34am

re: ewoodrick

I can "delete" the catalogs and directories, and yes, I shut down the index, the problem is that they come back once your service is started back up again. 

November 28th, 2012 11:20pm

I have the same problem.  There does seem to be a bug here in search.  I would very much like to resolve this.
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December 26th, 2012 4:48pm

i have exactly the same issue, i cannot get rid of these left over folders, they keep coming back, and worse i have a feeling these are causing our backup not to work properly as there is always an error with consistency check failed for exchange information store!!! really need to solve this asap!
January 16th, 2013 9:06pm

I don't have backup issues.  The Index service just recreates index files based off of DBs that no longer exist.  I would treat the backup problem as a separate issue.  How are you backing up?
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January 16th, 2013 9:09pm

I don't have backup issues.  The Index service just recreates index files based off of DBs that no longer exist.  I would treat the backup problem as a separate issue.  How are you backing up?

yes so the above is the same for me, as for the backup for the last 2 weeks using the built in windows 2012 backup wizard i always get an error about exchange (i have tried to enable circular logging etc but to no avail) the message is: 'The application will not be available for recovery from this backup. the consistency check failed for the component Microsoft Exchange......"

no matter what i have tried i cannot get a successful backup, i have made a new database and moved all mailboxs etc over and it is healty..

January 16th, 2013 9:22pm

I also use the Windows 2012 backup in my lab and I do not have that problem so there seems to be another issue there.  I don't have the answer for you unfortunately but I can tell you it's unrelated to the indexing issue described by this thread.  If your in a world of hurt to get this or the index issue resolved, I would suggest a PSS case.
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January 16th, 2013 9:27pm

having the same problem. did you get find a solution?
June 14th, 2013 2:35am

nooope
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June 14th, 2013 3:07am

I have the exact same problem... any solution to this yet?  Anyone at Microsoft monitoring this group?
July 9th, 2013 6:33pm

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