Anyone one know the best way to do Exchange 2003 restores when your 2003 environment hasn't existed in 4 years? To add to the problem, some of the users that I need to restore for are no longer with the company. Currently running Exchange 2007 I did see in another post that you could create a "TEST" environment for the restores - does anyone have any documentation on doing this? ThanksScott

Not sure what product you are using to backup, but if you can recover the databases to an alternate location on disk you can use DigiScope http://www.lucid8.com/product/digiscope.asp to open the offline databases (EDB+STM) which will then allow you to Browse, Search, and Export Mailboxes, Folders, and Individual items to PST, MSG & XML or if desired you can recover direct from the offline database into any other Production Server, even cross version i.e. 2003 --> 2007/2010 etc. NOTE: You mentioned that some of the users are no longer with the firm and therefore I assume the accounts have also been removed from AD? If so normally that would preclude you from recovery of those mailboxes, however with DigiScope you can overcome this limitation since it opens the offline EDB without the need for AD.Troy Werelius www.Lucid8.com Search, Recover, & Extract Mailboxes, Folders, & Email Items from Offline EDB's and Live Exchange Servers with Lucid8's DigiScope

Have you ever used Kernel for Exchange server by Nucleus Technologies? I have never used any of these types of utilities, but need to get to this data for a court case. Thanks for the info.Scott

Well to start off, I work for Lucid8 so we are somewhat competitors with the Kernel product and I say somewhat because its not in the same class when it comes to accuracy and completeness. I have seen the tool in action and can tell you that numerous customers purchase from us post disappointment with them and other lower end tools, so its not one that I would recommend if you are after accuracy and completeness. Obviously I am biased on this however if you want to obtain a tool that you can count on their are really 3 tools in the market place that have been around for some time and are in the same category, i.e. Lucid8's DigiScope, Quest Recovery Manager for Exchange and Kroll Ontrack. While I believe we have the better product in features, benefits, support etc then our competitors, (Quest, Kroll) if you went with one of them over Lucid8 you would have a respectable product that will give you good results.Troy Werelius www.Lucid8.com Search, Recover, & Extract Mailboxes, Folders, & Email Items from Offline EDB's and Live Exchange Servers with Lucid8's DigiScope

Hello, If you have the backup, you have to create the same environment like your old system, such as the same org name, Administrative Group Name, Storage and database name. Then restore all the data. Open the mailbox via Oultook then export all data to pst file. For the detailed steps, you can refer to the following link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823176 Thanks, Simon

Hello, If you have the backup, you have to create the same environment like your old system, such as the same org name, Administrative Group Name, Storage and database name. Then restore all the data. Open the mailbox via Oultook then export all data to pst file. For the detailed steps, you can refer to the following link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823176 Thanks, Simon