When restoring a Microsoft Exchange 2003 database, be sure an actual database file exists to restore to. A restoration of the Exchange Information Store is not a file restore, so the files already need to be in place. Beginning from scratch in a disaster recovery scenario, you will need to:
- Install Exchange (since the Exchange installation directories should not be included as part of the file system restore)
- Patch Exchange with the same Service Packs and Patches that were previously installed
- Mount the Information Store (empty at the time) – this will create the necessary empty databases
- Dismount the Information Store (and set it to be able to overwritten by a restore procedure)
- Run the recovery of the information store