Not exactly a grand master, but I've had to revover a couple exchange databases for real a few times. Where are you stuck at?
The point were the IS needs to mount the mailbox and public folder stores for use. Here's the routine I've followed on this project.
1. Format and do a clean install of of the OS to match the production box (Windows 2k Adv. server)
2. Match the production box with service packs and hot fixes.
3. Make the test machine a DC, new domain tree in a new forest of trees.
4. Install and configure DNS for the new domain,
5. Run the Exchange install with /forestprep and /domainprep to prepare the domain, using the same edition (2000) and version (Enterprise) of Exchange as the production box.
6. Install Exchange and apply same service packs and hotfixes as production system.
7. Create/rename the same Admin. Groups and Storage groups as exist on the production box.
8. Using LegacyDN from the last SP, examine and confirm that the legacyExchangeDN matches exactly on the produciton machine and the test machine.
The restore from tape using the built in backup utility seems to work fine, no errors. But when I try and mount the stores, I get this:
Event Type: Error
Event Source: MSExchangeIS
Event Category: General
Event ID: 1088
Date: 3/4/2005
Time: 9:25:39 AM
User: N/A
Computer: RECOVER
Description:
The information store could not be loaded because the distinguished name (DN) /O=
/OU=/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN= of message database "First Storage GroupMailbox Store ()" does not match the DN of directory /CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=.
The database may have been restored to a computer that is in an organization or site different than the original database.
For more information, click http://www.microsoft.com/contentredirect.asp.
Searching MS knowledge base and Usenet point to the Admin groups having differing names, but as far as I can tell using LegacyDN and ASDI Edit to examine stuff, it all matches exactly. The only thing odd is that the last part of the error message text seems to be too short, not listing the /O and /OU values for the directory. And for the life of me, I can not find the RECIPIENTS object in AD to examine ITS properties. I've torn down and rebuilt this setup three times trying to figure this out, thinking I'd fubar'd some step along the way. All to no avail.