dcpromo 2003 adding as AD/DCto 2000 AD Domain 1

[timroop]

I have an existing Windows 2000 server running as our AD Domain controller. I am atempting to setup a new Windows 2003 server to replace the 2000 box.

I am getting the following error while running 'dcpromo' on the 2003 server.

The operation failed because:

The Active Directory Installation Wizard cannot continue because the forest is not prepared for installing Windows Server 2003. Use the Adprep command-line tool to prepare both the forest and the domain. For more information about using the Adprep, see Active Directory Help.

"The version of the Active Directory schema of the source forest is not compatible with the version of Active Directory on this computer."

I have run 'adprep /forestprep' on the 2000 box (from the 2003 CD) yet I am continually getting this message. 'Adprep' now reports that the Domain and Forest have been updated. I have rebooted both as well as updated both systems to the most current SPs. (I had done that before begining)

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

I don't know if this is the approch I would take. Suggestions:
1. upgrade your current 2000AD box to 2003AD and then add your new server as another 2003AD DC.

2. If suggestion 1. is not viable (maybe due to hardware age) then add your new server as another 2000AD DC. Move the Operations masters, GC, and DNS to the new server and then upgrade it to Windows 2003 AD.

 

[WhoKilledKenny]

Another thought, you should have at least Two DCs in your environment both running as GCs.

I would also test, test, test... so - Since you have a new server that is not in production as of yet. Go to

http://www.vmware.com

and download the VMWare Server. It is free. It will allow you to setup your senario and test it before you do it for real...

 

[pagy]

Is this 2003 R2? If so you need to run adprep from the second CD. Thats the one that contains the schema updates for 2003 R2, not CD1.


All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
- Mark Twain

 

[timroop]

pagy Thank you. I wonder how long I would have floundered before trying the 2nd cd. I had read that the adprep there was for 64bit versions.

That worked and I am continuing on.

WhoKilledKenny Thank you for the advice. This is the first of two W2003 servers that are replacing a single NT4 PDC.



Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[markappleby]

What Pagy says above is correct, the only problem being, you can not run the adprep from the second CD of 2003 R2 on a Windows 2000 Server because the adprep application is 64-bit. The existing Windows 2000 Operations Master is only 32-bit and will not be able to run a 64-bit application.
I have had exactly the same problem.
This is a Microsoft fault. The only way around is to contact the company from whom you obtained Windows 2003 R2 and get them to access the correct download of adprep from Microsoft. Microsoft do not make this adprep version publicly available, so you are forced to go through the supplier.

 

[timroop]

markappleby That is what I had read too. But I went ahead and ran the copy of adprep on Disk 2 as pagy had suggested and it updated the Forest and Doman without an issue. The new server then completed its dcpromo without a hic-up.

Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[markappleby]

That is strange. When I tried to run the adprep from disk 2, the Windows 2000 Server complained that it wasn't a valid application - i.e. because it was 64-bit.
Microsoft, Microsoft, what a pain.
Pleased you have it sorted.

 

[supportahm1980]

Here it is on the MS site.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=917385