Hi Everyone. I'm really stuck with this so hope someone can help. We have a crashed Server 2003 that I can't get back on line that housed Exchange 2003. We are trying to install Exchange 2010 on a new server but it keeps saying it can't as there is already a server with Exchange 2003 on, which is in mixed mode and doesn't have service pack 2 installed. I can't bring this old server back online. It has already been demoted and removed from the network, all FMSO roles have been seized and I have gone through the article supplied by Microsoft to Forceably remove the Exchange server. I can't see any reference to it or Exchange anywhere in Active Directory, ADSiedit, sites and services and no services are running. All references have been removed from the registry too. Am I missing something? Can someone please help? Thanks in advance. Andy

Duplicate: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/exchangesvrdeploy/thread/682bf6a7-5209-4ec4-a3c4-c3822c2ec665/#682bf6a7-5209-4ec4-a3c4-c3822c2ec665Martina Miskovic

Event though Exchange 2003 SERVE is removed, it is still a Exchange 2003 organization with it's coresponding configuration, mode and structure. Before installing Exchange 2010 server, the organization needs to be extended which require the organization to be upgraded to mixed mode and Exchagne 2003 service pack 2 to be installed. that's why you cannot install the new server in a Existing Exchange organization. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998186.aspx http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270143 Based on the c urrent situation, I'd suggest you create a new forest and install the Exchange 2010 server in it. Let me know if you have any other question. Fiona Liao TechNet Community Support

If I create a new forest will it be able to function with my current domain? I presume it will only need the new forest for the purpose of exchange so is it possible to put a trust in place between the two forests? What affect would a new forest have on my current network? Many thanks for your help. Andy

I am not sure what do you mean by "function with my current domain", but yes, the new forest if created for the Exchange 2010 server. After the new forest is created, you may move your users from current forests, and then create new mailboxes for your users; or, you may keep users in the curent forests, create multual trusts between forests and then create Linked Mailboxes for your users. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123524.aspx Of course maintaining two forests require additional administrative labor. Hopt it is helpfu.Fiona Liao TechNet Community Support

I am not sure what do you mean by "function with my current domain", but yes, the new forest if created for the Exchange 2010 server. After the new forest is created, you may move your users from current forests, and then create new mailboxes for your users; or, you may keep users in the curent forests, create multual trusts between forests and then create Linked Mailboxes for your users. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123524.aspx Of course maintaining two forests require additional administrative labor. Hopt it is helpfu.Fiona Liao TechNet Community Support

That is really helpful Fiona, Many, many thanks Andy

My pleasure. Have a nice day :)Fiona Liao TechNet Community Support