installing exchange 2003/active directory

[bhelpdesk2005]

Hi I am just trying to install exchange 2003 and have just installed the basic active directory as a service on w2k3. However when i go through the exchange install checklist and run forest prep i get the below error. I pick forestprep as the "action" user. Can anyone help out please. thanks a ton.

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the component "Microsoft Exchange Forest Preparation" canoot be assigned the action "forresprep" because:
-setup encountered an error while trying to contact the windows active directory. The error was:
-failed to contact the schema master server for this active directory forest.
==============

 

[58sniper]

So the server is a full Domain Controller? If not, can you see the DC that holds the Schema Master role?

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[bhelpdesk2005]

yes it's a full domain controller - i just added the role via the server role option. Is there something else that i need to do?

 

[trevorh13]

Try making the server a global catalogue - solved the problem for me

Fighting with the thing myself! Managed to get it to install eventually but it hasnt created the Virtual Folders for OWA now!

Maybe thats why its called Exchange- certainly getting the urge to "exchange" it for a different mail server!

 

[bhelpdesk2005]

hey trevor the server is already a global catalogue...not sure what to do next..what a piece of sh*t

 

[58sniper]

From the server you're attempting to install Exchange on, run
netdom query fsmo
from a CMD prompt and see what it says for the schema owner. Then, see if you can ping that server by name. Make sure the DNS on your Exchange server is pointed to your AD DNS server and ONLY THAT.

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)

 

[Zelandakh]

How did you install AD as a service? Did you do it on the same box as the Exchange server?

 

[bhelpdesk2005]

58sniper i ran the command from my exchange and it gave me my pdc name as the schema owner and i was able to ping the name as well.

zelandkh i installed ad from the server role option. I'm still getting that error that i mentioned. Anyone have any idea as to why? should i just reinstall my dc with ad?