Hi, All.I am having a problem with the Exchange 2007 Ent w/SP1 install.I am installing 2007 into a new AD forest. I have one root domain and one child. Exchange is bieng installed into the Child domain. I want the install to run the forestprep and domain prep automatically as it says it should in the following article:http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb123694(EXCHG.80).aspxI am logging into the Exchange server with the Administrator account in the root domain. The administrator account is a member of Schema Admins, Enterprise Admins and is a local admin on the Exchange box.I run through the setup and go to install the Hub Transport server. The first prereq passes. The second check fails with the following error:Error:The local domain needs to be prepared (via 'Setup /PrepareDomain') before server roles can be installed.I dont mind running the preps manually but I would prefer the install do to it. Less room for error. If anyone could help I would appreciate it. I have tried a lot of things here to no avail.The exchange install logs look like this (a little long, i know):[2/23/2008 12:31:36 AM] [0] **********************************************[2/23/2008 12:31:36 AM] [0] Starting Microsoft Exchange 2007 Setup[2/23/2008 12:31:36 AM] [0] **********************************************[2/23/2008 12:31:36 AM] [0] Operating System version: Microsoft Windows NT 5.2.3790 Service Pack 2.[2/23/2008 12:31:36 AM] [0] Setup version: 8.1.240.6.[2/23/2008 12:31:36 AM] [0] Logged on user: AD\administrator.[2/23/2008 12:31:37 AM] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='mode', Value='Install'.[2/23/2008 12:31:37 AM] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='sourcedir', Value='K:\'.[2/23/2008 12:31:37 AM] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='fromsetup', Value=''.[2/23/2008 12:31:37 AM] [0] ExSetupUI was started with the following command: '-mode:install -sourcedir:K:" /FromSetup'.[2/23/2008 12:31:39 AM] [0] Setup is choosing the domain controller to use[2/23/2008 12:31:39 AM] [0] Setup is choosing a local domain controller...[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has chosen the local domain controller DC01 for initial queries[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] PrepareAD has either not been run or has not replicated to the domain controller used by Setup. Setup will attempt to use the Schema Master domain controller DC01[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The schema master domain controller is available[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The schema master domain controller is in the local domain; setup will use DC01[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup is choosing a global catalog...[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has chosen the global catalog server DC01.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will use the domain controller 'DC01'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will use the global catalog 'DC01'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] No Exchange configuration container was found for the organization. Message: 'Could not find the Exchange Configuration Container.'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The following roles are unpacked: [2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The following roles are installed: [2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The local server does not have any Exchange files installed.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will use the path 'K:\' for installing Exchange.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The server is cluster type: 'None'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The requested cluster type: 'None'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] The installation mode is set to: 'Install'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Exchange organization name is required for this mode.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Active Directory Initialization status : 'True'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Schema Update Required Status : 'True'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Organization Configuration Update Required Status : 'True'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Domain Configuration Update Required Status : 'True'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Applying default role selection state[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 4 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 5 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 6 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 6 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:31:42 AM] [0] RootDataHandler has 1 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 5 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 4 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:32:38 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 1 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:32:40 AM] [0] The folder "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\" is the subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings\".[2/23/2008 12:32:40 AM] [0] The folder "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\" is the subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\".[2/23/2008 12:32:40 AM] [0] The folder "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\" is the subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings\".[2/23/2008 12:32:40 AM] [0] The folder "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\" is the subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\".[2/23/2008 12:32:40 AM] [0] The folder "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\" is the subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings\".[2/23/2008 12:32:40 AM] [0] The folder "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\" is the subfolder of "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator.AD\Desktop\".[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] Setup will run from path 'K:\Setup\ServerRoles\Common'.[2/23/2008 12:33:31 AM] [0] InstallModeDataHandler has 4 DataHandlers[2/23/2008 12:33:35 AM] [0] Validating options for the 0 requested roles[2/23/2008 12:33:35 AM] [0] Validating options for the 0 requested roles[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Setup is determining what organization-level operations to perform.[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions.[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareSchema.[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareOrganization.[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Setup has detected a missing value. Setup is adding the value PrepareDomain.[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Because the value was specified, setup is setting the argument OrganizationName to the value UMS Organization.[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:33:58 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $true -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Global' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'Global' -PrepareDomain $null -PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions $null -PrepareOrganization $true -PrepareSchema $true' [2/23/2008 12:34:01 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:10 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:10 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:34:10 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:34:10 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $false -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Bridgehead' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'AdminTools','Bridgehead' -TargetDir 'D:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server'' [2/23/2008 12:34:10 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:13 AM] [1] [WARNING] Setup cannot detect an SMTP or Send connector with an address space of '*'. Mail flow to the Internet may not work properly.[2/23/2008 12:34:13 AM] [1] [WARNING] The installation of Microsoft Internet Information Services Common Files is recommended as it allows for the administration of all server roles. Install the component via Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.[2/23/2008 12:34:13 AM] [1] [ERROR] The local domain needs to be prepared (via 'Setup /PrepareDomain') before server roles can be installed.[2/23/2008 12:34:13 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:19 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:34:19 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:34:19 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $true -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Global' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'Global' -PrepareDomain $null -PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions $null -PrepareOrganization $true -PrepareSchema $true' [2/23/2008 12:34:20 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:24 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:24 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:34:24 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:34:24 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $false -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Bridgehead' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'AdminTools','Bridgehead' -TargetDir 'D:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server'' [2/23/2008 12:34:24 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:34:27 AM] [1] [WARNING] Setup cannot detect an SMTP or Send connector with an address space of '*'. Mail flow to the Internet may not work properly.[2/23/2008 12:34:27 AM] [1] [WARNING] The installation of Microsoft Internet Information Services Common Files is recommended as it allows for the administration of all server roles. Install the component via Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.[2/23/2008 12:34:27 AM] [1] [ERROR] The local domain needs to be prepared (via 'Setup /PrepareDomain') before server roles can be installed.[2/23/2008 12:34:27 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:17 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:35:17 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:35:17 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $true -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Global' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'Global' -PrepareDomain $null -PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions $null -PrepareOrganization $true -PrepareSchema $true' [2/23/2008 12:35:17 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:22 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:22 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:35:22 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:35:22 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $false -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Bridgehead' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'AdminTools','Bridgehead' -TargetDir 'D:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server'' [2/23/2008 12:35:22 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:26 AM] [1] [WARNING] Setup cannot detect an SMTP or Send connector with an address space of '*'. Mail flow to the Internet may not work properly.[2/23/2008 12:35:26 AM] [1] [WARNING] The installation of Microsoft Internet Information Services Common Files is recommended as it allows for the administration of all server roles. Install the component via Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.[2/23/2008 12:35:26 AM] [1] [ERROR] The local domain needs to be prepared (via 'Setup /PrepareDomain') before server roles can be installed.[2/23/2008 12:35:26 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:48 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:35:48 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:35:48 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $true -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Global' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'Global' -PrepareDomain $null -PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions $null -PrepareOrganization $true -PrepareSchema $true' [2/23/2008 12:35:48 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:53 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:53 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:35:53 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:35:53 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $false -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Bridgehead' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'AdminTools','Bridgehead' -TargetDir 'D:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server'' [2/23/2008 12:35:53 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:35:56 AM] [1] [WARNING] Setup cannot detect an SMTP or Send connector with an address space of '*'. Mail flow to the Internet may not work properly.[2/23/2008 12:35:56 AM] [1] [WARNING] The installation of Microsoft Internet Information Services Common Files is recommended as it allows for the administration of all server roles. Install the component via Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.[2/23/2008 12:35:56 AM] [1] [ERROR] The local domain needs to be prepared (via 'Setup /PrepareDomain') before server roles can be installed.[2/23/2008 12:35:56 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:38:44 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:38:44 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:38:44 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $true -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Global' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'Global' -PrepareDomain $null -PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions $null -PrepareOrganization $true -PrepareSchema $true' [2/23/2008 12:38:44 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:38:48 AM] [1] Ending processing.[2/23/2008 12:38:48 AM] [0] **************[2/23/2008 12:38:48 AM] [0] Setup will run the task 'test-setuphealth'[2/23/2008 12:38:48 AM] [1] Setup launched task 'test-setuphealth -DomainController 'DC01' -DownloadConfigurationUpdates $false -ExchangeVersion '8.1.240.6' -Roles 'Bridgehead' -ScanType 'PrecheckInstall' -SetupRoles 'AdminTools','Bridgehead' -TargetDir 'D:\Program Files\Microsoft\Exchange Server'' [2/23/2008 12:38:48 AM] [1] Beginning processing.[2/23/2008 12:38:52 AM] [1] [WARNING] Setup cannot detect an SMTP or Send connector with an address space of '*'. Mail flow to the Internet may not work properly.[2/23/2008 12:38:52 AM] [1] [WARNING] The installation of Microsoft Internet Information Services Common Files is recommended as it allows for the administration of all server roles. Install the component via Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs.[2/23/2008 12:38:52 AM] [1] [ERROR] The local domain needs to be prepared (via 'Setup /PrepareDomain') before server roles can be installed.[2/23/2008 12:38:52 AM] [1] Ending processing.

Hi, Sounds like you don't have enough permissions in the chld domain - try to add the root admin to the domain admins group in the child domain. Leif

Lief,Actually, you cant add DA to DA like that. They are Global groups. But did do something similar.I created an account in the child domain. Added that account to DA in the child. I then created a universal group in the root. Added the account in the child to that group. I then added the universal group in the root to schema admins and to enterprise admins.I logged onto the server where i want to install exchange and got the same results. Josh

for your situation, and because you have a Root/Child Domain structure its better to update the schema and domain separate from the actual exchange 2007 installation, the reason behind that , is that you want to make sure that when the schema got updated and extended with the new E2K7 attributes and abjects, these updates are replicated to each and every domain controller under your forest, since you are deploying exchange in the child domain, then the child DC's wants should recieve the updated schema and configuration changes from the root domain. since you are not giving anytime for this update to run, then your installation will fail. i think this is the main reason. last month, i finished upgrading one enterprise customer at my area, having Root/Child Domain, he has 4 DC's in the Root, and 8 DC's in the child, although all the Root DC's and 4 of the Child DC's are in the same server room, i still used the manual schema and domain updates, and forced replication between all the DC's, then i started my exchange installation from the child domain, this works for me for so many clients. for a single Domain model, i use the direct installation of exchange, cause its one domain. i hope the above info helped you some how on your problem. Regards, Alaa A. Al-Ankar Community: http://www.ProRangers.net Blog: http://aalankar.blogspot.com

Thanks,I ended up taking your recommendation. I got MS on the line and went through the steps:setup /pl setup /pssetup /p /ol:"Org Name"At this point setup /p said that it couldnt find the org name that we specified. We went back and ran setup /ps with the /DC:FQDN of DC parameter and that created the Org in the config container. then we ran setup /p again and everything was fine. I wish the installer would have done this all for me but it may not have the capability if it is not in a flat domain structure.Thanks for all your help.

Hi, good that you solved your problem, but i have questions for you now : why did you run "setup /pl" ? which is /PrepareLegacyExchange ? you need this setup if you have only earlier versions of Exchange 2007 which are 2003 or 2000, in a fresh installation of Exchagne for a new Organization you don't need this switch. do you have Exchange 2000 or 2003 previously deployed under your Active Directory ? another thing, Setup /PS will not create the exchange organization, setup /p would do that. setup /PS would extend AD Schema with the new attributes and objects for E2K7, as well as E2K and E2K3. Setup /P would create Exchange Containers under AD Domain and each domain you run thsi setup , it also cretaes the Exchange Organization, and creates the Security Groups under AD Domain which appears under AD users and computers. again, good that you solved your problem.

Hi.Regarding the /pl here is an excerpt from an MS article on setup /pshttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb125224(EXCHG.80).aspx Connects to the schema master and imports LDAP Data Interchange Format (LDIF) files to update the schema with Exchange2007 specific attributes. The LDIF files are copied to the Temp directory and then are deleted after they are imported into the schema. Note: The Exchange2007 schema also includes the Exchange2000 and Exchange2003 schema extensions. If you have not completed Step 1, setup /PrepareSchema will automatically perform the PrepareLegacyExchangePermissions step.Regarding the creation of the ORG containers in the config partition: I would have agreed with you until I actually went through the steps. The article above indicates that setup /ps prepares the schema by adding all the necessary attributes and classes. That I saw happen. When I ran setup /p to prepare the domain and create all the containters (which the article says it will) it threw an error. The MS person on the line was concerned that /ps did not create the containers. I told him I didnt think it was supposed to. However, when we ran setup /ps with the /dc option it did create the organization container and then /p was able to run with the /on:<org name> parameter. I dont know why it happened that way, but it did Thanks again for your responses.

i know all the above steps and thelinkby heart. anyway, at the end , its good that you solved your problem. Regards, Alaa