Question : Cannot start Information Store, event id 7024 with error 4294966781

Exchange 5.5 SP3 on a NT4 TSE SP6

I cannot start Information Store, it gives me a prompt with "The Microsoft Exchange Information Store service returned service specific error 4294966781.

In Event Viewer :

Event ID : 7024
Source : Service Control Manager
Type : Error

Description : The Microsoft Exchange Information Store service terminated with service-specific error 4294966781.

I don't have a recent backup, so I really need to try fixing the database.
ESEUTIL /MH of the priv and pub database says Inconsistent in the Status field.

Answer : Cannot start Information Store, event id 7024 with error 4294966781

Sorry, went to bed last night :) Yes, eseutil patch is needed whenever the stores have been online, and then you stop the services to bring in new databases and try to restart the service. gives you the -1011 error, then you patch it, and you're done. congrats!