Building DC replica via SCCM

[Toby]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm in the process of investigating the deployment of replica DC's via SCCM. I followed through the guide to creating a new forest master here, and it worked without issue, however when trying to create a replica DC im hitting issues, and I cant find any info on this problem other than to say that the task sequence cant read the disk. details below:

 

Error taken from config manager status viewer:

 

-----------------------

The task sequence execution engine failed executing the action (Configure ADDS) in the group (State Restore) with the error code 26

Action output: =======================[ smsswd.exe ] =======================

PackageID = ''

BaseVar = '', ContinueOnError=''

SwdAction = '0001'

Command line for extension .exe is "%1" %*

Set command line: Run command line

Working dir 'not set'

Executing commandline: Run command line

Microsoft ® Windows Script Host Version 5.8

Copyright © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit version: 5.1.1642.01

The task sequencer log is located at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\CCM\Logs\SMSTSLog\SMSTS.LOG. For task sequence failures, please consult this log.

---------------- Initialization ----------------

Generating DCPromo answer file

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

About to execute command: cmd /C C:\Windows\sysnative\dcpromo.exe /answer:C:\Windows\TEMP\AD_Answer.txt. The operating system reported error 26: The specified disk or diskette cannot be accessed

---------------------------

 

 

Same error reported in SMSTS.LOG

 

--------------------------

 

Failed to run the action: Configure ADDS.

The specified disk or diskette cannot be accessed (Error: 0000001A; Source: Windows)

 

--------------------------

 

 

Its driving me mad, very little info online. At first I thought it was an issue with the specified access account, so I changed to my global admin account, but the same issue occurred. This is a VMware machine deploying server 2008 R2 to another VM. The AD_Answer.txt file does exist in c:\windows\temp, and it appears to contain the correct info.

 

Thanks for any help or pointers!

[Toby]

Here is the AD_Answer.txt, just in case you think there is an issue - the only thing I have changed is my domain.

should the 'username' be encrypted? and should the password be missing? thanks.

 

---

 

[DCInstall]

DatabasePath = C:\Windows\NTDS

LogPath = C:\Windows\NTDS

SysVolPath = C:\Windows\SYSVOL

RebootOnSuccess = NoAndNoPromptEither

SafeModeAdminPassword =

SiteName = TestSchool

ReplicaOrNewDomain = Replica

ReplicaDomainDnsName = mydomain.localauthority.gov.uk

ReplicationSourceDC = dom01

UserName = IT‚Ã@

UserDomain = csnonprod

Password =

ConfirmGC = Yes

 

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[Toby]

bumpity-bump

 

Anybody got any tips as to where I should look prior to raising a support call?

 

Thanks guys.

[anyweb]

i'm curious, does it work if you deploy Server 2008 (not R2) ?

[Toby]

Hi Anyweb, thanks for reply.

 

same issue unfortunately, console error message below. I have tried this both with the machine already joined to the domain in network settings, and a standalone machine which is added by the configure ADDS step, same error each time .

 

 

---------------------------------

The task sequence execution engine failed executing the action (Configure ADDS) in the group (State Restore) with the error code 26

Action output: line for extension .exe is "%1" %*

Set command line: Run command line

Working dir 'not set'

Executing command line: Run command line

Microsoft ® Windows Script Host Version 5.7

Copyright © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

MicrosoftDeployment Toolkit version: 5.1.1642.01

The task sequencer log is located at C:\Windows\system32\CCM\Logs\SMSTSLog\SMSTS.LOG. For task sequence failures, please consult this log.

---------------- Initialization ----------------

Generating DCPromo answer file

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

Variable is not a valid string (not Base64 Format)

About to execute command: cmd /C C:\Windows\system32\dcpromo.exe /answer:C:\Windows\TEMP\AD_Answer.txt

Process completed with exit code 26

ERROR - ADDS role configuration with DCPromo failed , rc = 26

ZTI ERROR - Non-zero return code by ZTIConfigureADDS, rc = 26

Command line returned 26. The operating system reported error 26: The specified disk or diskette cannot be accessed.

[anyweb]

let me try and replicate this here in my lab, i'll come back to you

[Toby]

Hi Anyweb - Did you get the chance to look at this?

 

Thanks.