Hi, I am trying to install fax service on a win2k3 r2 server not running small business and on an NT4 domain. When I first attempted the install (from the usual add/remove programs - windows components) it couldnt find the necessary files and wanted the install CD. But even when I inserted the CD, and could actually browse and see the file name it was looking for, it still gave me 'setup cannot copy file xyz insure that the location blah blah blah" I noticed that if I canceled the file and reran - it would get one file further each time. So I did that all the way thru until I stopped getting the error. Then the install seemed to run without errors (it said installed successfully) but the progress bar only went about a third of the way and the fax service doesnt appear in the services list, and there is no fax printer installed. When I went back into add/remove components, the fax service box is not checked. Rechecking and trying again gives the same results - Looking at the system event log shows the fax printer created - then purged - then deleted as warning messages - no errors. I tried manually registering some of the dll's and watching what was registered with a program that shows registered dll's and when I rerun the install, it unregisters the dlls I registered. Then I decided to attempt to install additional network componenets and it started doing the same file copy errors - so obviously the problem is more widespread than just the fax service. I cant find anything via SEs other than if small business is installed on a DC. Has anyone run into this? Can anyone give me a clue what to look at? I appreciate any assistance

hi, did you check the OS CD that you use to point the files is readable? Try copy the CD on the internal storage and try again. Thamara.

please use different media try and let us knowhttp://www.virmansec.com/blogs/skhairuddin

Please use a different media of windows 2003 R2 and give a try.http://www.virmansec.com/blogs/skhairuddin

hi guys, thanks for the quick response... I tried copying the required files to local drive, and also from another server already running fax service. Got the same result each time thx, c63

You can install the optional components by using Add/Remove Windows Components in Control Panel. You also have the option to add or upgrade server roles by using Manage Your Server. For more information about these options, see Installing Optional Components and Server Roles. Check this article. Hope it will help you. Thanks

Hi Myousufall, I used ad/remove windows components for the installs I was attempting. I also tried server roll but it doesnt appear on the list and in that circumstance it wants you to install it via - you guessed it - add/remove programs.... thanks c63

All i can get from this is that it's a classic case of unable to read the media. When you say, ", and also from another server already running fax service." this means that you copy the OS from a server which already have the service running and it still says unable to copy the files? Thamara.

Hi Thamara, It gets a little complicated (or perhaps confusing is better). It is certainly true that even when I copied files directly from another source - whether cd or another server, that - although they copied with no problem to the local hard drive - that even when I pointed the install to where I copied the files, it gave me the usual error of 'not being able to copy' the file. I say its confusing because after going through every file and telling it to 'ignore' the error, I can run the install and it goes through without giving the error - but it doesnt really install. Then, as a test, I attempted to install additional network components, and I got the same symptoms. one could suspect that the installer didnt have permission to copy the files into the windows directory although the account I was logged on as could copy files with no problem. thx c63

Out of curiosity, could you try this on Safe mode?

unfortunately, not easily. It is a production server and can only be taken down at night. Usually when I need to reboot it, I do it remotely - which doesn't allow a boot to safe mode. As a temporary work-around to the problem, I installed the service on another server that is also a Win2k3 - R2 server. It installed with no problem whatever. There is definitely something goofy with this machine... thx c63

agreed. It's better if you can go for a reboot when you get a down time. Thamara.

Anybody have any ideas where I could start to troubleshoot this? The event log gives very little data -no errors - just warnings about the fax printer being added and removed. I don't want to rebuild if I dont have to as this is an ugly server to rebuild. thxfrm technet

Hi, Please make sure that your Windows Server 2003 disk and the optical drive are good. After that, please insert the disk and run the command SFC /Scannow to scan and repair the system files. Now, please try to perform a Clean Boot to install the fax service. For the detailed steps, please refer to the “How to Use System Configuration Utility” section of the following Microsoft KB article: How to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325375 What’s the result? If it does not work, please also refer to the “How to Repair Your Installation of Windows” section to repair your installation of Windows. Regards, Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Just a few thoughts that came to mind... Are you able to copy the media to disk on a different server, and then point the installation to the media via UNC (\\Server\Share)? That would outrule the CD drive as well as the local disc (far fetched, but maybe you keep hitting a bad sector..seen it before). A chkdsk wouldn't do any harm either here if you can do so, definitely do one if that works. Other thoughts: Is there any sort of real-time scanning going on by an AV program? If yes, try disabling that. Is this the appropriate disc (2003 R2, not just 2003)? Did, by chance, someone copy the i386 folder to the server already (or to some other server with the same OS)? I often do this to save myself the hassle of inserting media later on if it is needed.A+, Net+, Sec+, MCP, MCTS, VCP4, VCP5

Hi, Please make sure that your Windows Server 2003 disk and the optical drive are good. After that, please insert the disk and run the command SFC /Scannow to scan and repair the system files. Now, please try to perform a Clean Boot to install the fax service. For the detailed steps, please refer to the “How to Use System Configuration Utility” section of the following Microsoft KB article: How to troubleshoot startup problems in Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/325375 What’s the result? If it does not work, please also refer to the “How to Repair Your Installation of Windows” section to repair your installation of Windows. Regards, Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Just a few thoughts that came to mind... Are you able to copy the media to disk on a different server, and then point the installation to the media via UNC (\\Server\Share)? That would outrule the CD drive as well as the local disc (far fetched, but maybe you keep hitting a bad sector..seen it before). A chkdsk wouldn't do any harm either here if you can do so, definitely do one if that works. Other thoughts: Is there any sort of real-time scanning going on by an AV program? If yes, try disabling that. Is this the appropriate disc (2003 R2, not just 2003)? Did, by chance, someone copy the i386 folder to the server already (or to some other server with the same OS)? I often do this to save myself the hassle of inserting media later on if it is needed.A+, Net+, Sec+, MCP, MCTS, VCP4, VCP5