Hi
Maybe this will help:
Link:
=====
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;278875&Product=win20
00
Cannot Promote a Windows Server 2003 Domain Controller into a Windows 2000
Forest
SYMPTOMS
================
When you install a Windows Server 2003 domain controller into an existing
Windows 2000 forest by running the Active Directory Installation wizard
(Dcpromo.exe), you may receive the following error message:
The operation failed because:
A Schema validation check failed.
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. Fore more
information about using Adprep see Active Directory Help.
"The version of the Active Directory Schema of the source forest is not
compatible with the version of the Active Directory on this computer."
This can occur if you try to add a Windows Server 2003 domain controller to
an existing Windows 2000 domain in which all the domain controllers in the
forest root domain are Windows 2000-based domain controllers. This can also
occur if you try to add a Windows Server 2003 domain to an existing Windows
2000 forest in which all the domain controllers in the forest root domain
are Windows 2000-based domain controllers.
CAUSE
=========
This issue occurs because Windows Server 2003 contains an updated schema
version. You must update the schema in the existing forest for the Active
Directory Installation wizard to run successfully.
RESOLUTION
==================
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
1. If you are running Exchange 2000, see the "More Information" section
before you proceed.
2. Make sure that Windows 2000 Service Pack 2 or later is installed on all
Windows 2000-based domain controllers.
3. Locate the server that is the schema master, and locate the server that
is the infrastructure master.
Note: A single server may fill both functions.
4. Make a backup of the schema master.
Note: You may also back up other servers as an appropriate part of
preparing for upgrading. However, make sure that you back up the schema
master immediately before you continue to the next step.
5. Disconnect the schema master from the network. Do not reestablish the
connection until step 9 in this procedure.
6. On the schema master, insert the Windows Server 2003 Setup CD-ROM in the
CD-ROM drive.
7. Open a command prompt on the schema master, and then type the following
lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line
cd-rom:
cd \i386
adprep /forestprep
where cd-rom is the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive.
8. After the command is finished on the schema master, use the following
methods to verify that the preparation of the forest was successful.
o Verify that you received no error messages.
o Run any domain controller diagnostic tools that are available (for
example, Dcdiag). Keep in mind that replication errors are expected when
the domain controller is disconnected from the network.
o Use Event Viewer to inspect the system log for errors or unexpected
events.
9. Evaluate the information that you gathered in step 8:
o If you received no error messages when you ran the adprep /forestprep
command, reconnect the schema master domain controller to the network, and
then continue to step 10.
o If you received one or more error messages that provided instructions
for additional steps when you ran the adprep /forestprep command, follow
the error message instructions and then repeat step 8.
o If the adprep /forestprep command did not run successfully or if a
diagnostic tool (for example, Dcdiag) revealed a significant problem,
restore the schema master from backup and then use the information that you
gathered in step 8 to troubleshoot the problem.
10. If the schema master is a different computer from the infrastructure
master, wait for the changes made by the adprep /forestprep command to
replicate from the schema master to the infrastructure master. Wait at
least fifteen minutes, but allow longer (a half day to a full day) if the
schema master is not located at the same site as the infrastructure master.
If you try to perform the domain preparation on the infrastructure master
before the changes are replicated, you receive an error message that states
that more time is needed.
11. On the infrastructure master, insert the Windows Server 2003,
Enterprise Edition Setup CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
12. Open a command prompt on the infrastructure master, and then type the
following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line
cd-rom:
cd \i386
adprep /domainprep
where cd-rom is the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive.
13. After the command is finished on the infrastructure master, use the
following methods to verify that the preparation of the forest was
successful.
o Verify that you received no error messages.
o Run any domain controller diagnostic tools that are available.
o Use Event Viewer to inspect the system log for errors or unexpected
events.
14. Evaluate the information that you gathered in step 13: If adprep
/domainprep ran without errors, continue with the next step of this
procedure.
o If you received no error messages when you ran the adprep /domainprep
command, reconnect the schema master domain controller to the network, and
then continue to step 15.
o If you received one or more error messages that provided instructions
for additional steps when you ran the adprep /domainprep command, follow
the error message instructions and then repeat step 13.
15. Wait for the changes made by the adprep /domainprep command to
replicate from the infrastructure master to all other domain controllers.
Wait at least fifteen minutes, but allow longer (a half day to a full day)
if the network includes a domain controller in a remote site. If you try to
upgrade one of the other domain controllers before the changes are
replicated, you receive an error message that states that more time is
needed.
MORE INFORMATION
Note: If you are running Exchange 2000, consult the following article for
further information before you follow the steps that are listed in this
article:
314649 - Windows Server 2003 adprep /forestprep command causes mangled
attributes in Windows 2000 forests that contain Exchange 2000 servers
For more information about how to upgrade Windows 2000 domains to Windows
Server 2003, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechn
ol/windowsserver2003/proddocs/deployguide/adsec/part1/rkpdsw2k.asp
The information in this article applies to:
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
o Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
o Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
o Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
o Microsoft Small Business Server 2000
Shilpa Sinha
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
