[pissedofflaxdude]

I walked into a situation from hell!

I replaced the IT manager for our company...who in their infinite brilliance was not backing up the BES server and who saw fit to put the drives in a RAID 0 config...so when the server tanked I lost everything.

I rebuilt the server (Windows Server 2003 Standard), installed BES (Free Version, it's what was being used before), applied my 10 CAL's and then added the users. We are using MS Exchange 2003 and I have Outlook and ESM installed on the server.

That all being stated none of my pre-existing users are able to reply to or send mail from their BlackBerry's, they are all 8830's on Verizon. I have 1 new users, also using an 8830 and Verizon who I added after things took a dump and they are fine.

I'm stumped on this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[EAndresen]

You have to have the users re activate to the new server with their devices.

[DarkWater]

Originally Posted by pissedofflaxdude

I walked into a situation from hell!

I replaced the IT manager for our company...who in their infinite brilliance was not backing up the BES server and who saw fit to put the drives in a RAID 0 config...so when the server tanked I lost everything.

I rebuilt the server (Windows Server 2003 Standard), installed BES (Free Version, it's what was being used before), applied my 10 CAL's and then added the users. We are using MS Exchange 2003 and I have Outlook and ESM installed on the server.

That all being stated none of my pre-existing users are able to reply to or send mail from their BlackBerry's, they are all 8830's on Verizon. I have 1 new users, also using an 8830 and Verizon who I added after things took a dump and they are fine.

I'm stumped on this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I take it you didn't have any backups of your database?

Also I just want to be clear on all the steps you took.
You reinstalled the server and set it up, then you added your users back to the server, as in Add User > select from GAL. What did you do next?

Did you attempt activations with those users?
Did you perform any security wipes for them?

Since this is a new database from what they were on previously, they have unique policy keys present on the handheld and they will reject wireless activation attempts because it cannot accept a new policy until it is wiped.

Important
Also, you should never, ever, ever have Outlook installed on a server and never, ever, ever, ever along with ESM. Call Microsoft for assistance in removing it without screwing up MAPI. Otherwise you will need to remove BES, remove ESM, remove Outlook and start over. On the upside, you don't have to start with a new database.

Unless this is all on your Exchange server, then don't uninstall anything but BES. You -must- call Microsoft.

[pissedofflaxdude]

I did that too, I've gone so far as to delete them, re-add them and then reactivate them.

Still having the send and receive problem.

[DarkWater]

Originally Posted by pissedofflaxdude

I did that too, I've gone so far as to delete them, re-add them and then reactivate them.

Still having the send and receive problem.

You did a security wipe?

[EAndresen]

Originally Posted by DarkWater

You did a security wipe?

You need to wipe the policy off before you reactivate. Deactivate then reactivate to the server.

[DarkWater]

Originally Posted by EAndresen

You need to wipe the policy off before you reactivate. Deactivate then reactivate to the server.

Yeah, listen to him.

Then listen to my first post.

[EAndresen]

Originally Posted by DarkWater

Yeah, listen to him.

Then listen to my first post.

Just saying you are right

[DarkWater]

Originally Posted by EAndresen

Just saying you are right

and I'm saying you're right in saying I'm right.

[pissedofflaxdude]

Originally Posted by DarkWater

You did a security wipe?

No I did not. How do I do this? Sorry for being dense, but this is my first exposure to BES.

[pissedofflaxdude]

Important
Also, you should never, ever, ever have Outlook installed on a server and never, ever, ever, ever along with ESM. Call Microsoft for assistance in removing it without screwing up MAPI. Otherwise you will need to remove BES, remove ESM, remove Outlook and start over. On the upside, you don't have to start with a new database.

Unless this is all on your Exchange server, then don't uninstall anything but BES. You -must- call Microsoft.

Thanks for the info, I will get to work on that. ASAP, like now.

[DarkWater]

Yeah, I cannot stress the call Microsoft part enough. heh


As for security wipe.
You find it in the handheld.. under Options > Security Options > General
Click the trackwheel or the menu button.. select Security Wipe.

Note, this will delete all user data.

[pissedofflaxdude]

Originally Posted by DarkWater

Note, this will delete all user data.

I'm cool with that, I can back it up with the Desktop software, correct?

[DarkWater]

Originally Posted by pissedofflaxdude

I'm cool with that, I can back it up with the Desktop software, correct?

Correct.
Going that route, I would recommend restoring the data before activating on the BES.

Be careful though. If you have the user connecting to Desktop Manager on their computers, it will attempt to activate the handheld automatically if you have a connection to the mail system. If you are trying a restore at the same time this can cause problems.

If you are doing it on a user computer, first change the profile settings in the manager to prompt for a profile. Close and open, then cancel the prompt and it won't connect to the servers.

[DarkWater]

Actually prompting for a profile is a good setup for any desktop manager that would be used with multiple handhelds, especially if they are not yours or you have no wish to switch to that handheld.

[pissedofflaxdude]

Thanks to all of you that assisted me!

Things are now working smoothly and thanks to you guys I look like a Rock Star, though it is more like Keith Richards these days.

[EAndresen]

Good to see you are working. This forum has saved my butt many times.