I've inherited a network that at one time, had an exchange 2003 (I think..... and hope) server. Long story short, they started having problems, ended up with a corrupt message store, and moved e-mail offsite. The Exchange server was turned off and stuffed in a corner. Upon looking into AD, all the users that had mailboxes still have them (as far as AD is concerned), and the exchange server is still in AD. I've found that Exchange 2003 had a /removeorg switch that can be used. With the exchange server gone forever, I assume this will remove all traces of exchange from AD and make it as if it was never there? After the removeorg, will it be possible to rename the domain without the additional "If you have exchange in your environment" steps of the domain rename procedure (which I have done in an "exchange free" environment, and it worked very well)? Thanks, Dave

Never run RemoveORG. it won't be possible to rename the domain. What are you trying to achieve?Gulab | MCTS-MCITP Messaging: 2010 | MCTS-MCITP Messaging: 2007 | MCC 2011 | Skype: Gulab.Mallah

Well, I want to remove the orphaned/tombstoned Exchange server, all attributes of it, and most likely install Exchange 2010 in the not to distant future. The old server was powered off and put in the corner several years ago. I found it and tried to boot it to find out what version it was running, but it's DOA. There's also some question as to weather it was 2000 or 2003.

You can remove it from Add or Remover if the server is powering up and If you want to check the version of the server whether it was 2000 or 2003, you need to check it in Adsiedit.msc on the server. Attribute it MSExchVersion and for 2007 the value is "4535486012416" Post the value to confirm itGulab | MCTS-MCITP Messaging: 2010 | MCTS-MCITP Messaging: 2007 | MCC 2011 | Skype: Gulab.Mallah

Please do the following Check the version of the exchange using adsiedit.msc navigate to configuration\services\....exchange server and you may come across the version in properties. You can also see users if you check it properly. next if comfortable with the mailboxes and users .. just delete the exchange object and it will be gone for good. you can upgrade the schema to exchange 2010 and bring in exchange . ensure you have a good DR plan or try the same on a virtual machine before deleting the object from the prod thsi may be helpful .. adsiedit section http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb288905(EXCHG.80).aspx

Please refer Member Server Recovery Methods run exchange setup in disaster recovery mode to rebuild the old exchange server. Then, remove it properly How to Uninstall Exchange Server 2003 How to remove Exchange Server 2003 from your computer James Luo TechNet Subscriber Support in forum If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.com Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I haven't been able to determine wether it was Exchange 2000 or 2003. I've looked through AD, and haven't been able to find the MSExchVersion entry anywhere. Forgive me, but why never run removeorg? Doesn't that do the same thing as manually removing all the Exchange entries manually via ADSIEdit? And why won't it be possible to rename the domain? I've renamed one internal domain that did not have Exchange, and it worked flawlessly; As part of the procedure, there was also documentation on preforming the rename with Exchange installed in the domain. James, if I can determine what version of Exchange was installed, rebuild it in DR mode, then properly uninstall it, that should remove ALL traces of Exchange, correct? Is there any other way to determine the version other than looking for the MSExchVersion key, or is there a specifc location that it will ALWAYS be found? EDIT: After more digging and searching, I determined that Exchange 2000RTM was installed in the domain.

Yes, it will be a clean remove after recovered the lost server “Setup /disasterrecovery” section in Some Exchange 2000 Server Disaster Recovery ConceptsPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

James, I don't know for sure what version (Standard/Enterprise) was installed, but my ISO of 2000 Standard is apparently corrupt, and so far, in asking all the people I know, the only version I've been able to source is Enterprise. Does it matter which one is used for these purposes? I won't be restoring any data (There's nothing to restore - it's been gone for years), just deleting all mailboxes from AD, all other attributes and uninstalling.

What is the status of the issue?Gulab | MCTS-MCITP Messaging: 2010 | MCTS-MCITP Messaging: 2007 | MCC 2011 | Skype: Gulab.Mallah

I apologize for the delay in responding. After a TON of searching and asking everyone I know, I was able to dig up the right media and key to do a disaster recovery install, then had to do a repair install to fix some permissions, as well as manually modify some group memberships, but in the end, I got Exchagne 2000 installed and functioning, and was then able to properly remove all Exchange attributes and uninstall it.