I recently had the responsibility of moving an existing, in-use Microsoft CRM 3.0 database from it's current location/domain to an entirely new server on a different domain.  Not only was the target domain different but so was the licensing in that we were upgrading our product code and not using a Small Business Server license anymore.  Oh, and I should also mention that the organization name was also changing within the database.

This process is pretty painless, all-in-all, provided you're careful and pay attention to the goings-on of the process.

First of all, I backed-up the SQL Server databases (company_METABASE and company_MSCRM), archived them, and restored them into the new domain.  I also took the time to remove any schemas and logins from the databases that didn't apply in the new domain.

Then, I followed the instruction as provided by the Microsoft CRM Redeployment Tool (thankfully this existed to facilitate this process) on the CRM 3.0 disc 1 (also available via download here) to map users from the old system into the new domain.

When it came time to associate the new CRM installation with the original databases, however, I received the following error "The existing databases are not compatible with this installation of Microsoft CRM".  This was easily fixed by following the recommendations in a KB article and doing some spelunking on my own.  As it turns out, it wasn't liking the new databases because of an organization name change in CRM.  I also received an error because of the license key because we were moving off of the Small Business Server to another non-Small Business Server and the license keys could not be used together.

The following SQL commands fixed the issues:

UPDATE BuildVersion SET Revision = X (where X == the 3.0.5400.X of the SetupServer.exe product version)
UPDATE OrganizationBase SET Name = 'new organization name'
DELETE FROM License

After that, the installation was smooth as glass and without a hitch.

One thing of note as well once we were up and running.  CRM was operating correctly, but anytime we'd access the Reports section, we were greeted with the error "Report.config has invalid schema, and could not be loaded".  Likewise, when we'd go into the Calendar section we'd get an "Unexpected Error".

The fix for these were to make sure that the CRM 3.0 website and the SQL Reporting Services virtual directories were using the proper ASP.NET Version (1.1.4322).

Tonight we're switching up the .NET User Group meeting format somewhat, hopefully to the approval of all.  We're conducting what we're calling a “Presenter's Challenge”.  We're giving the opportunity to 4-5 presenters to take approximately 20-30 minutes each and present on various topics (we have LINQ, Mono, WPF, etcetra already scheduled).  Following the meeting we're giving everyone the chance to vote online for the best presentations.  The winners will be announced and awarded in September.

This should be a blast of an event and I hope it goes well - we'd like to have more variety in the meetings like this in the future.

Date: Thursday, August 9th, 2007
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Digital Draw Network - Suite 300 (10897 South River Front Parkway, South Jordan, UT)

Don't miss it!

I just recently returned from the Netherlands on what turned out to be an amazing trip.  I wish I had had more time to prepare for the trip; as it turns out, I found out that I was going the day before I departed but I was able to set aside one day last week as a personal day and do some individual exploration.

The first part of the week was spent adjusting to the 8 hour time difference while working with a customer in the town of Eindhoven.  Eindhoven is about 1.3 hrs south of Amsterdam by train.  The entire customer experience was very positive and went very smoothly.

On Wednesday, August 1st, (following the customer on-site) I headed to Amsterdam and stayed at the very nice Mercure hotel on Noordstraat in Amsterdam.  I arrived late in the evening and wasn't able to do much on the first night, but I arose early on Thursday and headed out into the city to explore and see the sites.  One aspect of Holland that I found most endearing and enchanting was the use of bicycles.  They're everywhere.  Everyone ride bicycles; from the young to the old.  It's wonderful.

Following a nice pastry at a local bakery I set off to see Rembrandt's home (see inset).  What an amazing place!  Rembrandt's house has been converted into a museum and restored to what it was like back in the 1600's when he resided there.  Many rooms in the house were converted into galleries exhibiting his wonderful paintings and sketches.  Additionally, on the second floor, a gentleman was demonstrating Rembrandt's etching and mass-printing techniques that were quite remarkable.  The top floor had a few gallery rooms showcasing many of his prints and actual etchings.

Rembrandt's house was, I feel, the highlight of my trip.  I spent a couple hours there taking it all in and enjoying myself.

I then did a bit more exploration through the town, walking through the Dam Square and participating in a magic show on the street in which I chained up the performer (along with the help of Andy from Newcastle, England - also a recruit off of the street who also straight-jacketed him).  Of course (and as part of his show) he escaped from the binds, but it was fun nonetheless.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to walk the streets of Amsterdam, enjoy the sites, some of the 18 miles of canals in the city, cross some of the 800 bridges, and visit another country.  It was well worth the visit and the time there.