PrepareAD failed with error "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."

I uninstalled Exchange server 2007 manually (this is not recommanded by Microsoft). After that, I tried to prepare the schema. When I executed the "PrepareAD" I encountred this problem:
PrepareAD failed with error "Object reference not set to an instance of an object."
To solv this problem:
1- In Active Directory users and computers, make a search of an existing Exchange security group.
2- you have to delete them all.
3- Prepare AD another time

Exchangeserver.msi failed with error code 1603

I was in process of installing Exchange server 2007 SP3 in a client plateform, and the famous error code 1603 appeared. After taking a deep look at the exhangesetuplog I detected the following:

"exchangeserver.msi failed. Fatal error during installation. Error code is 1603. Last error reported by the MSI package is 'Could not open key: UNKNOWN\Components\2E016F08F75B6F848A40D36348D1134D\AE1D439464EB1B8488741FFA028E291C.
Verify that you have sufficient access to that key, or contact your support personnel.'. "

I copied the parent Key and I searched it in the regedit, I found that as an Administrator, I hadn't the required permission to acces the child key. Strange!!!
I solved this problem by this way:
1- Editing the permission in the parent key, and editing assigning the administrator account the ownership of the key
2- Expand the permission to the child key
3- Editing the permission of the child key and assigning the administrator account the ownership of the key.
3- Restarting the server
4- Restarting the installation process.

Afer doing this tasks, the same problem appear with others keys, so you have to repeat this tasks and the installation will be successful.
This problem may affect Exchange server 2010 and Exchange 2010 SP1 installation.

Good luck

You don't have sufficient permissions. This operation can only be performed by a manager of the group

When you run the following Powershell command to grant  user sending on behalf of a distribution group:
Set-DistributionGroup "your distribution group" -GrantSendOnBehalfTo Lionel.Messi
You receive the following message
"You don't have sufficient permissions. This operation can only be performed by a manager of the group"

Assuming that you have Exchange 2010 with SP1, you must do the following:
- Install RU3 or later for exchange 2010 (RU5 is out now)
- Execute the following Powershell command:
update-recipient <Group Name>




 

Windows 8 Preview Edition

The new Microsoft Operating System is released in preview edition. Easy to install and with graphical user interface look like MAC OS. :)

The most important feature in this new OS is Hyper V. Unfortunatly, I haven't test it yet because I'm running  Windows 8 under a virtual machine.

For testing purpose, you can follow this link to download Windows 8 Preview Edition :

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516

Have a nice day with Win8 !!!

Error after 'Send on behalf' or 'Send As'

After configuring a 'send as' or 'send on behalf of' user may receive this message:
"You are not allowed to send this message because you are trying to send on behalf of another user without permission to do so. Please verify that you are sending on behalf of the correct sender, or ask your system administrator to help you get the required permission." or "You do not have permission to send on behalf of the specified user."

You must check the following:

1- Ensure that you have configured correctly the 'send as' or the 'send on behalf of'
     -To configure the 'send as' by Poweshell
      Add-ADPermission "John Simpson" -User "Domain\User" -Extendedrights "Send As"
     -To configure the 'send on behalf of' by Powershell
      Set-Mailbox UserMailbox -GrantSendOn BehalfTo UserWhoSend

2- Ensure that the mailbox is not Hidden from address lists
     - Open the EMC
     - Open the concerned Mailbox
     - uncheck the option 'Hide from Exchange address lists'

Announcing Exchange 2010 Service Pack 2

The Exchange Team announced the Exchange 2010 Service Pack 2.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/exchange/archive/2011/05/17/announcing-exchange-2010-service-pack-2.aspx

Hub Transport installation failed with "An unexpected error occurred while modifying the forms authentication settings for path /LM/W3SVC/1. The error returned was 5506."

To solv this issue Try the following:
1- Open IIS administration console
2- Right click "Default Web Site"
3- Click "Edit Bindings..."
4- Remove all bindings refering to port 443
5- Reinstall
Good Luck