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Renamed server after install, now can't uninstall

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Renamed server after install, now can't uninstall - 16.Dec.2009 2:54:53 PM

mtracks

Posts: 2
Joined: 16.Dec.2009
Status: offline

I'm in the process of testing out an Exchange 2007 SP1 environment where the CAS role is offloaded to a separate, new box. I have an existing Exchange 2007 SP1 server (let's call it "exch01.domain.lan") running with CAS, Mailbox & Hub roles installed. I installed the CAS role on a fresh server 2008 box (that I called "exchcas.domain.lan"), then for some reason, I decided to rename the server to "exch02.domain.lan". The Exchange Management Console on the "exch01.domain.lan" now shows both servers under the Server Configuration -> Client Access tab, but the old name of the CAS server is listed there ("exchcas").

Now, I've tried uninstalling the CAS role on the new box using varies methods (Add/Remove, shell), but I keep getting an error. What's worse, the error references the new server name:

Exchange server "exch02.domain.lan" was not found. Please make sure you have typed it correctly.

Why is Exchange so confused?! Any insight on how to correct this naming/uninstall issue would be extremely helpful. (For what it's worth, I cannot rename the CAS server back since I've got certificates on order with the new name).

Post #: 1

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RE: Renamed server after install, now can't uninstall - 16.Dec.2009 3:43:47 PM

mark@mvps.org

Posts: 6811
Joined: 9.Jun.2004
From: Philadelphia PA
Status: offline

If you can't rename it back and uninstall you need to use ADSIEDIT to tear the server out of AD.
You should never have tried to rename it and you're reaping the rewards for that.

_____________________________

Mark Arnold (Exchange MVP)
List Moderator

(in reply to mtracks)

Post #: 2

RE: Renamed server after install, now can't uninstall - 16.Dec.2009 5:07:15 PM

mtracks

Posts: 2
Joined: 16.Dec.2009
Status: offline

So I managed to get somewhere....

I took your advice and wiped any reference of old name with ADSIEDIT. Then, after some doing some searching, I stumbled across an article talking about incomplete Exchange installs (http://msmvps.com/blogs/ehlo/archive/2008/05/06/1614953.aspx).

I ended up deleting the WATERMARK and ACTION keys here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\v8.0\ClientAccessRole

This allowed me to fully uninstall Exchange without error. I'm now reinstalling as we speak. This should add the new CAS server name "exch02.domain.lan" to AD properly.

(in reply to mark@mvps.org)

Post #: 3

RE: Renamed server after install, now can't uninstall - 17.Dec.2009 8:38:35 AM