In my company I am trying to transitioin from my main domain controller which runs on windows server 2000 machine to having all my domain controllers run on a windows server 2003. There is actually three main locations within my company. For the main location I want all of my domain controllers running off of a windows 2003 server. The other locations I still have to run windows server 2000. For the main location when I try to upgrade to a domain controller on my windows server 2003 server, I get an error messge stating that I cannot create a domain controller because the functional level needs to be raised from windows 2000 to windows 20003. The message states to use adprep.exe. My main dc runs on windows server 2000 and is the acting schema operation master. I need to be able to replicate the active directory information from windows 2000 dc to the windows 2003 dc and make the new dc the acting schema operation manager. I still need to be able to replicate active directory information to my secondary dcs that are still running windows server 2000. Another problem, is that I have exchange server 2003 running on a windows server 2003 server that synchronizes with my schema operation master dc1 running windows server 2000. How do I create an environment in my organization where first I am able to replicate active directory information from windows server 2000 dc1 to my new windows server 20003 dc? Then make my windows server 2003 the primary dc in the organization and still able to replicate active directory information to my windows server 2000 dcs. I also need to have to the windows exchange server synchronize active directory information with my new dc on windows server 2003. visualbasicfrustrated

In response to my thread from above, the new dc must exist in the existing company domain.visualbasicfrustrated

Hello,if understand you correct you have a domain with 2000 DCs. Then you promoted an existing 2003 memberserver to DC? This will be only possible it the existing doamin has be prepared with adprep command for the new schema.So i assume you have installed a 2003 DC with the same domain name as the existing one? Please clarify this part of the 2003 DC.We have to make sure that you don't use the same domain name twice, that way you are NOT able to replicate between them, because these are complete different domains, even the name will be the same!!!Best regards Meinolf Weber Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.