Database connection parameters (Server/instance name to connect to) are stored in the registry - the following let you correct database connection with the right properties:
- please mind, not to update Registry settings unless having recent backup or export of Registry settings available -
1.) Check what is the actual instance name of the SQL server (by default, SQL is installed together with Recovery Manager for Exchange on the same server). This could be checked via list of services, for each instance there's dedicated SQL Server service with instance name included, i.e. for DELLRME instance there would be service with a name MSSQL$DELLRME and display name 'SQL Server (DELLRME)', and for RME instance there would be service with name MSSQL$RME and display name 'SQL Server (RME)'.
The default instance name for older versions was DELLRME, and for the recent versions is RME.
2.) Verify in the following settings of Registry, whether server and instance name are correct:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\Setup
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\Setup
Right-click on the Registry node and choose 'Export' to export content as backup, then update it to correct server / instance name (one you have found via list of services).
3.) You should also check and update connection strings (replacing incorrect server / instance "SERVER=" to correct one) for all values named ConnectionString under the following:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\Backup Catalog
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\Backup Catalog
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\EDB Information
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\EDB Information
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\Storages
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Quest\Recovery Manager for Exchange\Storages
After having done all of this, Recovery Manager for Exchange should start and work normally.