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Q258236: XADM: Third-Party Backup Software May Not Restore Log Files

Article: Q258236
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): exc4 exc5 exc55
Last Modified: 23-OCT-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you attempt to start the Microsoft Exchange Directory Service or the
Information Store Service after a database is restored, the service may not
start.

You may receive one of the following error messages, or a similar error message,
which indicates that log files are missing:

  Error(s) -1811 JET_errFileNotFound

  -or-

  -509 JET_errMissingPreviousLogFile

If you check the database in question by running the following command

  eseutil /mholt;path to DB file> |more

the database appears to be in an inconsistent state, which indicates that to
start the database, log files must be played into it. In addition, the "Restore
In Progress Key" may be missing from the registry after the restore.

CAUSE
=====

This behavior can occur because certain backup software packages allow you to
restore log files from an online backup. When each service starts, it is
directed to the transaction log files so that it can replay any missing
transactions. These log files default to the Dsadata folder in the Directory
Service or the Mdbdata folder in the Information Store Service.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, restore log files in the backup software when you restore
from an online backup.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this issue, restore the entire database again. You can also
restore only the missing log files by using the Exchange Server-aware portion of
the backup software.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Log files may not be successfully replayed during restoration if circular
logging is enabled for the server that is being restored.

For additional information about circular logging and online backups, click the
article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q181798 XADM: Online Restore May Not Replay Log Files

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : exc4 exc5 exc55 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Issue type        : kbprb

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