URGENT -win2k3 server upgrade cannot find winnt.sif

[dufresnem]

I am upgrading my Win2K server DC to Win2k3. During the upgrade process, i receive the following error;

Error upgrading DHCP server database, setup cannot continue.

Then this error pops up;

Setup was unable to create, locat or modify a critical file(C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\WINNT.SIF) need to start Windows. Cannot create file when the file already exists.

I DO NOT use DHCP.
I have searched the system/boot partion for WINNT.SIF. It cannot be found.

Need help immediatley. I am upgrading the server this weekend.

 

[itsp1965]

Are you performing this upgrade from a CD? It could be the CD image is corrupted (also it's possible you have the DHCP service installed but not activated). Try another CD

 

[dufresnem]

I have tried multiple CD's with the same result. DHCP server is installed and disabled. This is most likely the culprit, but I do not understand why does the upgrade need DHCP server service active when it isn't being used?

 

[itsp1965]

Have you tried un-installing the DHCP component and re-run the upgrade?

 

[dufresnem]

No I haven't. That is what I'm going to do this weekend. If that dfoesn't work, I will then re-install DHCP, configure it, then run the upgrade. After the upgrade is complete, I'll just disable it.

We will see if that works. Keep you posted.

 

[dufresnem]

Got it working.

1. Got past the DHCP error by removing DHCP Server completely.
2. The second error, it turns out that I had two BAD CD Medias. I had to use the oroginal MVL CD in order for it to upgrade correctly.