Hello, I have a front end exchange 2k3 server, a backend 2k3 exchange server and the new exchange 2010 server. I am reaching the end of a migration from exchange 2k3 SP2 to exchange 2010. I have moved all mailboxes and public folder data over to the new 2010 exchange server. The problem I have is when i try to delete the public folder store on the exchange 2003 server i get the message: you cannot delete public folder stores because it contains folder replicas I have seen that on the old 2003 exchange server within Public Folder Instances there are 2 folders called Default which is empty and exchange v1 (80KB). I have deleted the exchange connectors between exchange 2003 and 2010 server so I cant replicate any more Do these folders need to be fully replicated to exchange 2010? If so can I get help restoring the connectors between 2003 and 2010 servers and then try to get those folders removed so I can delete the store on the old exchange server. If these folders are not necessary can i get help removing these folders so i can delete the public folder store on the old 2003 exchange server. Thank you

Hi, It may be because of the instances of public folders on that public folder. A. Launch EMS b. Administrative Groups>Front End server>Public store>Public Folder Instances b. In the right-pane, find “Folder Path” column, paths of system folders c. Expand Administrative Groups>Folders>Public Folders, right-click “Public Folders”, select “Connect to”, choose Front End server, click OK d. Find those system folders which listed in the “Public Folder Instances” node, right-click the folders and delete them e. After we remove all instances, the public store can be removed Refer this also http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996441(EXCHG.65).aspxRegards from www.windowsadmin.info

Hi ManU Thanks for the reply, when i try to connect to the front end to look at the public folders in step d I get the message The received certificate has expired and will not let me view the folders.

Hi, You want to renew the certificate using the Certificate wizard in IIS Manager. You can also remove the existing certificate and create a new request. Refer this also http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?id=324345Regards from www.windowsadmin.info

Hi ManU It did get rid of that first error but when I clear the ssl requirement in IIS i am getting the error "could not locate root folder".

Hi, See this link http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996098(EXCHG.65).aspx and locate Error ID number: c103b405Regards from www.windowsadmin.info

Hello: i have looked at the link and seen the following: The exadmin virtual directory local path is set to a value other than \\.\BackOfficeStorage It is set to that directory This error can occur if the following are true. Multiple IP addresses are bound to the NIC card. There is only one IP address Multiple Web sites are configured on the Exchange server. There is only OWA on that server, cant see anyother sites The default Web site is bound to the secondary IP address that is bound to the NIC card. There is only one IP address No DNS mapping for the second IP that maps to the FQDN of the server There is only one IP address

When i had a look again this morning i still cannot access the Public folders: could not locate root folder.

You installed public store on the FE? Is BE still in the organization? Have you checked the related attribute as suggested in this article?James Luo TechNet Subscriber Support (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms788697.aspx) If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.com

Hi James, I got a bit impatient and went to the ADSI to delete the public folder store on the front end exchange server yesterday. Once it was deleted I was able to successfully uninstall the front end 2003 exchange server. Now I have a 2003 exchange server that is turned off but still part of the organisation and the exchange 2010 server that is running the show. I tried to delete the public folder store on the backend 2003 exchange server this morning but it still says: you cannot delete public folder stores because it contains folder replicas I cannot replicate any more as the connectors between backend 2003 and new exchange 2010 have been deleted. The only public folders in public folder instance on exchange 2003 are default and exchangev1. Free busy and all other public folders seem to work with that back end 2003 exchange server turned off. I want to remove it from the organisation but would have to delete that public folder store using ADSI but im a bit nervous about it.

What's the error information when you tried to remove the instance on the BE? Same as above, like "Could not locate root folder"?James Luo TechNet Subscriber Support (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms788697.aspx) If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.com

Hi James On the FE server I used to get the error "could not locate root folder" when I tried to look at the public folders through the EMS and delete a few from the FE server as suggested by ManU PhiliP above. I have since uninstalled the FE server since I deleted the FE public folder store in ADSI. I do not get that error for the BE server any more, i can look at public folders through the EMS but when i try to delete the BE store i get the error: you cannot delete public folder stores because it contains folder replicas

Same error when you tried to remove public store on FE at the first place, right? Have you tried the suggestion from ManU to remove the remaining public folder instances on the BE?James Luo TechNet Subscriber Support (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms788697.aspx) If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.com

Hi James, I went ahead and deleted the exchangev1 and default folders from the 2003 BE server. I have since tried to uninstall 2003 exchange but I cannot seem to find the media for 2003 enterprise edition.. another hurdle

You can contact Microsoft Customer Support Service (CSS) for assistant, and then you will get the disk in the proper channel Phone list [US, outside of US]James Luo TechNet Subscriber Support (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/ms788697.aspx) If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.com

Thanks James, Im going to try and hunt this disk down with those contacts. When I get it ill give it another try

I have had to do the same on the FE exchange 2003 server. I went into ADSI and deleted the exchange public folder store for that exchange server: Configuration + CN=Configuration + CN=Services + CN=Microsoft Exchange + CN=YOUR ORGANISATION + CN=Administrative Groups + CN=First Administrative Group + CN=Servers + CN=SERVER NAME + CN=InformationStore Once that was manually deleted and I correctly dismounted/deleted the stores I was able to uninstall exchange 2003 BE too. Ill wait a day or two before being sure all is well

I have had to do the same on the FE exchange 2003 server. I went into ADSI and deleted the exchange public folder store for that exchange server: Configuration + CN=Configuration + CN=Services + CN=Microsoft Exchange + CN=YOUR ORGANISATION + CN=Administrative Groups + CN=First Administrative Group + CN=Servers + CN=SERVER NAME + CN=InformationStore Once that was manually deleted and I correctly dismounted/deleted the stores I was able to uninstall exchange 2003 BE too. Ill wait a day or two before being sure all is well Thank you! Used this for my single exch2k3 sp2 server (have migrated to exch2k10 and everything works there) - prior to following this instruction, it would not let me uninstall exch2k3. Following this and removing the RUS , exchange 2k3 uninstalled without a hitch:-) Thank you!Dudski

Tidy! Im glad that helped