SMTP service does not start after you move Exchange Server 2000 to a different computer (327021)

SYMPTOMS

After you move Exchange 2000 Server to a different computer, the SMTP service may not start. Event Viewer may contain entries that are similar to one or more of the following entries:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: smtpsvc
Event ID: 520
Description: Virtual Server 1: The specified mail drop directory (MailDropDir) is not valid. Cannot start the SMTP service in mail-drop mode.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: smtpsvc
Event ID: 429
Description: Virtual Server Invalid MailQueue Directory: The specified mail queue directory is not valid. Cannot start the SMTP Service.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the hard disk configuration on the destination computer is different from the configuration of the original computer. The original computer is the computer on which Exchange 2000 Server is originally installed. The destination computer is the computer to which you are moving Exchange 2000 Server. For example, your original computer may have a drive C and D, with some exchange components located on drive D. If your destination computer has only one drive C, your destination computer may be looking for components on a non-existent drive D.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the ADSI Edit utility to modify the Active Directory properties to reflect the correct drive locations:

NOTE: ADSI Edit is included with the Windows 2000 Support Tools. If the Windows 2000 Support Tools are not installed on your computer, you can install them from the Support\Tools folder on your Windows 2000 installation CD-ROM.

Click Start, point to Programs, point to Windows 2000 Support Tools, point to Tools, and then click ADSI Edit.
Expand each of the following branches in the Tree pane:
- Configuration ContainerCN=Configuration,DC=domain_name,DC=com CN=Services CN=Microsoft ExchangeCN=Organization Name CN=Administrative GroupsCN=Administrative_Group_Name/Site_NameCN=Servers CN=Server_NameCN=ProtocolsCN=SMTP
Right-click CN=1, and then click Properties.
Click the Attributes tab, click each of the following properties next to Select a property to view, and then correct the file path in the Edit Attribute box:
msExchSmtpBadMailDirectory
msExchSmtpPickupDirectory
msExchSmtpQueueDirectory

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how to move Exchange 2000 Server to new hardware, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

297289 How to move Exchange 2000 to new hardware and keep the same server name