Active directory promotion problems - please help

getafix`

As the title says.

Busy working through 71-410 and am stuck at ADS.

I have followed the guides to the T and everytime I get a error after trying to promote the server to a DC.

This is a fresh install of 2012 R2 Core with gui.

The error I receive is:

"The operation failed because:
Failed to create the GPO for the domain........"
"An extended error has occurred"

If I reboot, I end up in a continuous blue screen loop.

BSOD.jpg

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OctalDump

Do you have working DNS? Does forward and reverse lookup work for the server in question? Can the server in question do forward/reverse lookup of its own dns name?

Is this the only DC in the domain, or are you adding to existing domain?

getafix`

OctalDump wrote: »

Do you have working DNS? Does forward and reverse lookup work for the server in question? Can the server in question do forward/reverse lookup of its own dns name?

Is this the only DC in the domain, or are you adding to existing domain?

This is a test server, fresh install. ADS installed as a new Forest. Not sure regarding your first two questions. As stated, I followed the numerous tutorials re' installation of ADS.

BornToBeMild

Before you reboot, check the event logs for further information. There are also two log files written during the install process:

c:\windows\debug\dcpromo.log
c:\windows\debug\dcpromoui.log

You might get a clue from these, or maybe an error code you can google.

getafix`

BornToBeMild wrote: »

Before you reboot, check the event logs for further information. There are also two log files written during the install process:

c:\windows\debug\dcpromo.log
c:\windows\debug\dcpromoui.log

You might get a clue from these, or maybe an error code you can google.

Thanks, will have a look once I re-install from a backup -

Everytime I try and promote and re-boot, I get a BSOD as per image above. The only way around that is to reinstall from a backup.

I am sure that something is getting corrupted.

BornToBeMild

If you're using a virtual machine, take a checkpoint/snapshot before you run the promotion wizard or powershell command. This is useful for two reasons:

Saves time if you have a problem - just revert to the checkpoint.

Allows you to do the install twice, once in the GUI and once via Powershell. You will need to know both ways for the exam.

getafix`

OK, some news.

It seems that the problem has been solved.

The Samsung Evo 850 has a firmware bug that effects the disk cache writing when the server reboots after a domain controller update.
This causes the server to crash with constant reboot loops.

After updating to the latest firmware, the problem as gone away.

Thanks for all the help

bohack

Getafix.... That is the exact problem! I had a similar problem like that using an external drive. It was making me go insane until I tried another drive then found out it was a buggy firmware. I wish I seen this post sooner, for you.

Dojiscalper

getafix` wrote: »

OK, some news.

It seems that the problem has been solved.

The Samsung Evo 850 has a firmware bug that effects the disk cache writing when the server reboots after a domain controller update.
This causes the server to crash with constant reboot loops.

After updating to the latest firmware, the problem as gone away.

Thanks for all the help

Great find! That is the type of troubleshooting that makes you really dig into google and solve the problem. As I read your problem description I was thinking "No Way, the DC promotion on a fresh install just works". There shouldn't have been anything preventing it and it was a crazy problem.