Article ID: 253309
Article Last Modified on 10/28/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q253309
SYMPTOMS
When you cannot restart the directory service on Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0 after it stops for no apparent reason, you may receive an error message citing internal error -1811, with ID: 203017d.
The application log of Event Viewer may display the following events:
CAUSE
This behavior can occur when the directory service cannot find the directory databases it requires to start, or when the directory (Dir.edb) is damaged.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this behavior, change the paths for the directory logs and databases if the paths are incorrect. If this does not resolve the behavior, restore the directory from tape backup.
- On the server properties page dialog box, click the Database Paths tab and verify that the paths for directory logs and databases are correct.
- If the paths for logs and databases are incorrect, run Performance Optimizer (Perfwiz.exe) to change to the recommended paths:
- To start Performance Optimizer, click Start on the taskbar, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, and then click Microsoft Exchange Optimizer.
- The initial page of Performance Optimizer indicates that it stops all Exchange Server services. To accept, click Next. If you do not want Performance Optimizer to stop the Exchange Server services, click Cancel to quit Performance Optimizer.
- Follow the directions provided by Performance Optimizer until you reach the page that lists the data placement options. Accept the suggested changes by clicking Next, or manually enter the paths and then click Next.
- Confirm that the Move Files Automatically check box is selected by default, and then click Next. If you do not want Performance Optimizer to move your files at this time, click to clear the check box, and then click Next.
- Continue to click Next until you complete the program, and then click Finish to restart all Exchange Server services. If you select the Do not restart these services check box, Performance Optimizer will not restart any Exchange Server services.
- If the directory service does not start, restore the directory from a tape backup. If you do not have a valid backup or a copy of the original Dir.edb file, you must perform full disaster recovery by removing and reinstalling Microsoft Exchange Server.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional information on Performance Optimizer, please see the Microsoft Knowledge Base white paper titled "Understanding the Microsoft Exchange Server Performance Optimizer." You can find this paper at the following Microsoft Web site:
For additional information on restoring a damaged directory, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
184186 XADM: Recovering Exchange from a Corrupted Directory
177635 XADM: How to Set Up a Disaster Recovery Server for Dir.edb
183266 XADM: How to Restore an Offline Backup of the Directory Service and Information Store
Keywords: kbprb KB253309
