1

I installed Microsoft Exchange server on a blank 2008r2 server a few days ago. After installing Exchange I had to remove and re-enable the Active Directory Domain Services role to fix another issue. When uninstalling Exchange earlier today the uninstaller crashed and I had to restart it. After starting the uninstaller I now get the error message:

Error:

The following error was generated when "$error.Clear(); 

Set-MailboxServer -Identity $RoleFqdnOrName -CalendarRepairWorkCycle $null -CalendarRepairWorkCycleCheckpoint $null

" was run: "The operation couldn't be performed because object 'PLSERVER.mydomain.co.uk' couldn't be found on 'PLSERVER.mydomain.co.uk'.".

I really just want to uninstall Exchange server in any way possible. I am not quite sure how to tackle this error message though, especially since I am very new to Windows server (I come from a *nix background).

5
  • You're running Exchange and AD on the same server?
    – MDMarra
    Jun 18, 2013 at 16:03
  • Yes, I was just trying to determine whether Exchange suited my clients needs. In production would they always be on separate machines?
    – cdyer
    Jun 18, 2013 at 16:19
  • Yes. Exchange is a complex beast suited for its own server entirely.
    – Nathan C
    Jun 18, 2013 at 16:27
  • Thanks that useful to know. At least if something like this happens you can then nuke it and start again.
    – cdyer
    Jun 18, 2013 at 16:34
  • 1
    You should never run anything on a DC that isn't Directory Services or DNS. In very small environments, sometimes it's unavoidable, but large packages like Exchange/MSSQL/SharePoint/etc should never be on a DC.
    – MDMarra
    Jun 18, 2013 at 17:32

2 Answers 2

3

I've been through a manual uninstall of Exchange. It sucked. It required a call to Microsoft Support and many hours on the phone with them.

The gist of it was that you get the install media and find all of the MSIs, right click on each and select uninstall, lather rinse repeat. Then, manually delete all Exchange references from the registry.

That said, this is entirely unsupported outside of the direction of Microsoft. I really recommend opening a ticket with them.

1
  • 1
    At that point it may be faster to just wipe the machine and start over again if it's not a production server.
    – Nathan C
    Jun 18, 2013 at 16:26
0

There's no need to uninstall if you don't want to. All you should do is to run repair. Given the Exchange configuration intact in the AD, the installer will repair the "damaged" installation. If you really need, run uninstaller after it, it should complete successfully.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .