This has been the recovery from hell. First, the databases did not want to be deleted from the failed server and then the server itself did not want to be removed from the DAG. Finally, after solving all of these issues, I was ready to do a recovery install. Wouldn't you know it. It fails at the point where mailbox transport service is attempting to start. An attempt to start the service manually fails with the message, the service started and then stopped. Have tried redoing the connectors, making sure both DC's are global catalog servers. There are no third party software installed. In fact, I have not installed the antivirus. I started by formatting and reinstalling Server 2008 enterprise clean. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ron