One of our Domain Controllers which is also our Exchange Server machine is slowly dying. I have a replacement machine here that I am trying to get ready to take over the roles of the original unit. I have added some basic roles to the new machine, but when I go to add the Active Directory Domain Controller role, it fails with an error stating that I have to run Adprep.exe. From the documentation I gather that this is necessary for upgrading from a Windows 2000 domain to a Windows 2003 domain, but I already have a Windows 2003 domain here. Granted that the domain was originally Windows 2000, but we have been all 2003 for some time now and both domain controllers are 2003 R2. I have a technet subscription that gives me a couple of free support incidents, but I'm wondreing if it is asking too much to have them help me through this process. Any suggestions or pointers to the right way to do this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, You get this message when trying to run dcpromo and the new server is part of the domain and using a dns server that knows your active directory? Leif

That is correct. When I try running dcpromo on the new server, it fails with a message that I must run adprep.exe on the domain controllers. The only DNS units in the plant are the two domain controllers. The new machine has a temporary name that is unique and has been sucessfully joined to the domain. We have a pretty simple network here. It consists of two domain controllers, three other servers and 20+ desktops scattered over a 26 acre plant site. I'm wondering if dcpromo is seeing the modifications to active directory that Exchange makes and is mistaking those differences for an older version of Active Directory. Thanks. Rob

Here is a quote from the book "MCITP: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Messaging Design and Deployment Study Guide" on page 18 that may be some help. "As a protective feature, Dcpromo, which is the command to promote a Windows 2000 or 2003 member server to a domain controller, cannot be run anymore once you have installed Exchange Server 2007 on a Windows 2003 member server. After Exchange Server 2007 is installed, changing the role from a member server to a domain controller or vice versa is not a Microsoft-supported scenario".

"As a protective feature, Dcpromo, which is the command to promote a Windows 2000 or 2003 member server to a domain controller, cannot be run anymore once you have installed Exchange Server 2007 on a Windows 2003 member server. After Exchange Server 2007 is installed, changing the role from a member server to a domain controller or vice versa is not a Microsoft-supported scenario". Thanks. I wonder if that applies to Exchange 2003. Dcpromo was failing even before I installed Exchange 2003. I have installed Exchange on the box, but I have not put it on line yet and won't until I can get it promoted to a DC. This seems to be an odd one. Thanks again.