We are in the process of upgrading from a SBS2003 Server to a Server 2008 running Exchange 2010. Data has been moved, Exchange 2010 is running and mailboxes have been migrated. We thought that the FSMO role had been fully transfered and that we chould remove the old 2003 server. I just powered it off without removing it from the domain. We now are trying to add a new user and mailbox using the Exchange Management Interface and receive the following... =========================================================== Summary: 1 item(s). 0 succeeded, 1 failed. Elapsed time: 00:00:04 Sxxxxx Qxxxxx Failed Error: An Active Directory error 0x51 occurred when trying to check the suitability of server 'cxxxxx-server.Cxxxxxxxxxx.local'. Error: 'Active directory response: The LDAP server is unavailable.' The LDAP server is unavailable. Error: An error caused a change in the current set of domain controllers. Exchange Management Shell command attempted: New-Mailbox -Name 'Sxxxxx Qxxxxx' -Alias 'Sxxxxx.Qxxxxx' -OrganizationalUnit 'Cxxxxxxxx.local/Users' -UserPrincipalName 'Sxxxxx.Qxxxxx@Cxxxxxxxxx.local' -SamAccountName 'Sxxxxx.Qxxxxx' -FirstName 'Sxxxxx' -Initials '' -LastName 'Qxxxxx' -Password 'System.Security.SecureString' -ResetPasswordOnNextLogon $false -Database 'Mailbox Database 0048253701' Elapsed Time: 00:00:04 ============================================================ By the way.. cxxxxxx-server.Cxxxxxxxxxx.local was the name of the old 2003 server. The new 2008 server is named cxxxxxx-hou.Cxxxxxxxxxxxx.local Any Ideas on what we have missed?

Hi there, Transferring FSMO roles doesn't demote a Domain Controller. Did you DCPROMO out the Server prior to removal? OliverOliver Moazzezi | Exchange MVP, MCSA:M, MCTS:Exchange 2010, BA (Hons) Anim | http://www.exchange2007.com | http://www.exchange2010.com | http://www.cobweb.com |

Nope... Was a litle chicken as was not sure what it problems it would create. If that is the problem, then I will bring it back up and do so.

Brought up the 2003 Server and Started to run DCPromo Got a message "Before you can install or remove Active Directory, you must remove Certificate Services. For information about the consequences of removing Certificate Services, see Help and Support." Reading the Help and Support now, but is there a way to transfer this function over to the 2008 server?

Hi, Please try to DCpromo the new server as DC and GC. Transfer Fsmo to the new server. Wait DC to replic from each other. Remove GC from SBS. Migrating from Small Business Server 2003 to Exchange 2003 Standard Part 1 – Preparing your network http://www.msexchange.org/tutorials/Migrating-Small-Business-Server-2003-Exchange-Standard-Part1.html Regards, Xiu

We have the same error. Is there anyway of fixing this without re-attaching the old DC? It is at a remote site and we are not sure of its condition anymore.