The Exchange binary files are not installed but the backup registry key is present. Only build-to-build upgrade mode is available.

First, once you applied SP3, it will start check prerequite, then to remove exchange binarnies files, and to install Exchange 2007 SP3 binaries. If your installation failed with corrupt of installation file, say, Exchangeserver.msi file, etc, installation would fail with error and it cannot roll back to previous Exchange build you ran on the server. Once you try to re-apply Exchange 2007 SP3, or reboot your Exchange server and reapply SP3:

 

You Receive a Message That States That Only the Build-Build Upgrade Mode Is Available When You Install Exchange 2007 Service Pack 3

 

 

This topic provides information about how to troubleshoot an installation error that may occur when you try to install Microsoft Exchange Server 2007  Service Pack 3 (SP3).

 

When you run the Setup program to install Exchange Server 2007 SP3, you receive the following error message:

The Exchange binary files are not installed but the backup registry key is present. Only build-to-build upgrade mode is available.

 

Cause

 

This issue may occur if the Exchhelp.chm file is missing from the Exchange Server\Bin folder on the Exchange server.

Resolution

 

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Extract the Exchange 2007 SP3 files from the installation package. To do this, follow these steps:
   
   1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
      
   2. Change to the directory that contains the E2K7SP1En64.exe file.
      
   3. Type e2k7sp3en64.exe /x, and then press ENTER.
      
   4. In the Choose Directory For Extracted Files dialog box, type the path where you want to extract the files, and then click OK. For example, type c:\exchange2007sp3files.
      
   5. When the Extraction Complete message appears, click OK.
      
2. Copy the appropriate language version of the Exchhelp.chm file from the location where you extracted the files to the Exchange Server\Bin directory on the Exchange server. For example, copy the C:\Exchange2007sp3\Setup\Serverroles\Common\mui\0409\Exchhelp.chm file to the %ProgramFiles%\Exchange Server\Bin directory.
   
3. Verify that the following services are set to an Automatic startup type and that the services are started:
   
   • IIS Admin Service (IISADMIN)
     
   • HTTP SSL (HTTPFilter)
     Note   This service is not present on a Windows Server 2008-based computer.
     
   • World Wide Web Publishing Service (W3SVC)
     
4. Verify that all the Exchange-related services are set to an Automatic startup type and that the services are started.
   
5. Start the Exchange 2007 SP3 installation from a command-line, and specify the upgrade option. To do this, follow these steps:
   
   1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
      
   2. At the command prompt, move to the directory to which you extracted the Exchange 2007 SP3 installation files. For example, move to the C:\Exchange2007sp1files directory.
      
   3. Type setup.com /mode:upgrade, and then press ENTER. The Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Unattended Setup program starts.

Note: The above procedures tested OK in LAB even if you remove all Exchange 2007 related services registry keys....