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Removing and restoring a roll over database

Please note that these steps will only function if the Database roll over has been set. In order to not break the system, please never remove the database with the biggest number.

SYMPTOMS

I have multiple databases that need to be removed and stored safely somewhere else.

RESOLUTION

These instructions carry true for MSSQL 2000 and MSSQL 2005 including Express.

REMOVAL

1. Identify the database that needs to removed. This database is referenced as "Exclaimer Email Archive5" for the purpose of these steps
2. Open SQL and expand "Databases" and expand the "xConfig" database (where x is the name of the database set, by default this will be "Exclaimer Email ArchiveConfig") Locate and open the table called dbo.ArchiveDatabases.
3. Identify the row that has the "DatabaseName" of "Exclaimer Email Archive5", and note all the details apart from the ID as this is an autonumber.
4. Once the details have been saved, delete the row identified in step 3
5. Right click on the"Exclaimer Email Archive5" database and select "All tasks" followed by "Detach" This will take the database out of the database engine
6. Locate the database files (by default this location will be C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data) and back up to the .MDF and .LDF files to a secure location.

RE-ATTACH 

1. Restore the LDF and MDF files from the backup device to the required location (by default this location will be C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data)
2. In the SQL Management Studio (or Enterprise manager for 2000) Browse to the database folder and then right click and select "Attach"
3. In the dialogue box select the database files.
4. In MSSQL 2000 at the bottom there is a drop down box for the owner, please select Exclaimer Archiver Service (or the account that the archiver service is running under).
5. For MSSQL 2005 and Express attach the database, right click on the database and select properties. Then from the properties window click on "Files" from the "Select a page" menu, then in the right window click the browse button and select the Exclaimer Archiver Service (or the account that the archiver service is running under).
6. Expand the xConfig database, open the table dbo.ArchiveDatabases and enter the details saved in step 3 of the removal process

MORE INFORMATION

Archiving mail to a database can be a space consuming operation. Exclaimer Email Archiver has the ability to roll databases over. This means that at a certain time / size it will create a new database for the mail. This article deals with the removal and the restoration of the old databases.

APPLIES TO

All versions of Exclaimer Email Archiver

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Richard Rae
Exclaimer Support