dcpromo error while creating a subdomain

[David K]

I'm using dcpromo to add a new domain, CA, to the existing tree,
sunhill.com. After the summary screen, it starts the process, and when
it says this:

"Examining existing Enterprise Directory Service"

an error pops up:

dcpromo error ---------------
The operation failed because:

There was an error determining if the domain name
DC=CA,DC=sunhill,DC=com is unique on server
grover.sunhill.com. If this name is not unique, please consider
renaming the domain, or
choosing the re-install domain option.

"The system cannot find the file specified. "
end dcpromo error -----------------

And dcpromo.log shows the following:

dcpromo.log entries -------------
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] Examining existing Enterprise Directory Service
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] Error - There was an error determining if the
domain name DC=CA,DC=sunhill,DC=com is unique on server
grover.sunhill.com. If this name is not unique, please consider
renaming the domain, or choosing the re-install domain option. (2)
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] NtdsInstall for CA.sunhill.com returned 2
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] DsRolepInstallDs returned 2
06/19 20:26:46 [ERROR] Failed to install the directory service (2)
06/19 20:26:50 [INFO] The attempted domain controller operation has
completed
06/19 20:26:50 [INFO] DsRolepSetOperationDone returned 0
end dcpromo.log --------------

I've checked the DNS server entries on the domain controller (grover),
and I can find no trace of a CA domain. I've also tried other domain
names that I've never used, just to be sure, but the same error
occurs. Dynamic updates is set to Yes on the DNS server.

I can successfully communicate with the DNS server from the new
server, and there are no packet loss issues.

I've checked everything specified in the Q308311 KB article, which
mentions a version of this error. This includes ensuring ntds.dit
exists in winnt\system32 and removing the winnt/ntds directory on the
new server before running dcpromo.

The server was previously a domain controller in the sunhill.com
domain and was demoted.

The domain controller for sunhill.com is 2000 Server, while the new
server is 2000 Advanced Server.

Can you give me any suggestions?

Dave

 

[Herb Martin]

I'm using dcpromo to add a new domain, CA, to the existing tree,
sunhill.com. After the summary screen, it starts the process, and when
it says this:

"Examining existing Enterprise Directory Service"

an error pops up:

dcpromo error ---------------
The operation failed because:

There was an error determining if the domain name
DC=CA,DC=sunhill,DC=com is unique on server
grover.sunhill.com. If this name is not unique, please consider
renaming the domain, or
choosing the re-install domain option.

The main reasons for this type of problem:
1) the LEFTMOST tag, i.e., "CA" here, is not unique in your forest
and the NetBIOS version of the name is clashing
2) The NETBIOS name is longer than 15 characters (doesn't seem
to be your problem.)
3) Missing Domain Naming master or inability to find it in DNS
4) Maybe other DNS errors
5) Actual class of the entire DNS name (most people see this one
immediately so I list it last.)

--
Herb Martin

"The system cannot find the file specified. "
end dcpromo error -----------------

And dcpromo.log shows the following:

dcpromo.log entries -------------
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] Examining existing Enterprise Directory Service
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] Error - There was an error determining if the
domain name DC=CA,DC=sunhill,DC=com is unique on server
grover.sunhill.com. If this name is not unique, please consider
renaming the domain, or choosing the re-install domain option. (2)
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] NtdsInstall for CA.sunhill.com returned 2
06/19 20:26:46 [INFO] DsRolepInstallDs returned 2
06/19 20:26:46 [ERROR] Failed to install the directory service (2)
06/19 20:26:50 [INFO] The attempted domain controller operation has
completed
06/19 20:26:50 [INFO] DsRolepSetOperationDone returned 0
end dcpromo.log --------------

I've checked the DNS server entries on the domain controller (grover),
and I can find no trace of a CA domain. I've also tried other domain
names that I've never used, just to be sure, but the same error
occurs. Dynamic updates is set to Yes on the DNS server.

I can successfully communicate with the DNS server from the new
server, and there are no packet loss issues.

I've checked everything specified in the Q308311 KB article, which
mentions a version of this error. This includes ensuring ntds.dit
exists in winnt\system32 and removing the winnt/ntds directory on the
new server before running dcpromo.

The server was previously a domain controller in the sunhill.com
domain and was demoted.

The domain controller for sunhill.com is 2000 Server, while the new
server is 2000 Advanced Server.

Can you give me any suggestions?

Dave

 

[David K]

The main reasons for this type of problem:
1) the LEFTMOST tag, i.e., "CA" here, is not unique in your forest
and the NetBIOS version of the name is clashing
2) The NETBIOS name is longer than 15 characters (doesn't seem
to be your problem.)
3) Missing Domain Naming master or inability to find it in DNS
4) Maybe other DNS errors
5) Actual class of the entire DNS name (most people see this one
immediately so I list it last.)

Thank you, Herb. The domain naming master role was unassigned. I
seized the role and the promotion of the new server is going through
properly now.

Dave

 

[Herb Martin]

Thank you, Herb. The domain naming master role was unassigned. I

seized the role and the promotion of the new server is going through
properly now.

You are welcome.

BTW: It is considered bad form (by some, I am not very concerned)
to use a "high level" tag within a DNS name for a more specific tag.

..CA = canada and you use it for your third (going left tag.)

I believe ca.us also exists to even Internet name standards folks are
not consistent on this.

No conflict normally exists but there is a slight opportunity for
class when names are no fully qualified (including the "." on the
end that makes an FQDN.)