Hi, Can someone help me? I am trying to add a new machine as a domain controller. The forest root is also Windows Server 2003 64-bit edition. When I run through DCPromo it gives me a series of options that I follow. It will then return an error message saying: The Active Directory Installation Wizard cannot continue because the forest is not prepared for installing Windows Server 2003. Use the Adprep command-line tool to prepare both the forest and the domain. For more information about using the Adprep, see Active Directory Help. The version of the Active Directory schema of the source forest is not compatible with the version of Active Directory on this computer. I have followed the following article from Microsoft to resolve this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917385 My question is does this have to be run on the forest root controller? as it is a slightly different version of Windows Server 2003? Thanks

You don't mention running R2. Is the new install 2003 R2? Do you only have one DC which holds all the FSMO roles? Did you run adprep on the DC containing the schema fsmo role? To my knowledge there is no difference between 32 and 64 bit versions of 2003 in this regard. Imagine the power of knowing how to internet search http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Teachin...

Hi, Yes, it is R2 version, forgot to mention. Currently we have only one DC so I assume it is holding all the FSMO roles. If I run adprep on the DC it will not have any adverse effects on users who are accessing the server? Thanks

Running ADprep shouldn't cause any problems. The best practice would be to have another DC running the same version of Windows then stop replication and install ADprep on one of the DCs. When things seem to be OK, then enable replication again. Unfortunately if you only have one DC and something does go wrong in the ADprep step, there is little you can do to go back. Even a backup of AD won't help since ADprep extends the schema and a backup won't restore that. Personally, I'd just run the ADprep and get it done, then install the other DC. You will have to reboot the current DC but that shouldn't have any serious effect on users unless the DC is also a file server or something which by the way, isn't recommended. Good luck.

hello all, I have almost the same problem. I have installed a new server with Server 2k3 to replace a tiring old SBS 2k. I have already done adprep for forest and domain. I still get the same error message even after adprep. The answer may have been in the last reply. Do I need to reboot the old server with the SBS 2k DC before I can join ne DC to it?