Hey guys, 

I'm having some issues installing a second exchange server in my org. 
The primary exchange is running on a Server 2008 R2 that is also DC. 

Right now I'm trying to install my second Exchange 2013 on a stand alone server 2012 R2. This is freshly installed. 
I downloaded the Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 9 (CU9) installer from MS and extracted it to my server. Ran the setup.exe with right-click run as admin. It copies the files, and when it start initializing it get the error "Exception has been throw by the target of an invocation". 

I figured that maybe it would be a good idea to get my primary server up untill CU9 before installing a new one. However, when I started the installer on the S2008R2 I received the exact same error. 

Anyone has any ideas as to what could be the problem here? 
I tried redownloading the installer => no luck 
Windows updates are all installed on both servers => no luck 
Completely renstalled the 2012 R2 => no luck 
prepad, prepdc => no luck

Upgradelog: 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0950] [0] ********************************************** 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0981] [0] Starting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 9 Setup 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0981] [0] ********************************************** 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0981] [0] Local time zone: (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0981] [0] Operating system version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0981] [0] Setup version: 15.0.1104.5. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:51.0981] [0] Logged on user: AD\admin. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:52.0075] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='sourcedir', Value='C:\temp\ExchSetup'. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:52.0075] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='mode', Value='Upgrade'. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:52.0091] [0] RuntimeAssembly was started with the following command: '/sourcedir:C:\temp\ExchSetup /mode:Upgrade'. 
[08/19/2015 08:19:53.0167] [0] The following roles are installed: BridgeheadRole ClientAccessRole MailboxRole UnifiedMessagingRole FrontendTransportRole AdminToolsRole CafeRole 
[08/19/2015 08:19:53.0697] [0] Finished loading screen CheckForUpdatesPage. 
[08/19/2015 08:20:01.0887] [0] Finished loading screen UpdatesDownloadsPage. 
[08/19/2015 08:20:57.0548] [0] Starting file's copying... 
[08/19/2015 08:20:57.0564] [0] Setup copy files from 'C:\temp\ExchSetup\Setup\ServerRoles\Common' to 'C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup' 
[08/19/2015 08:20:57.0767] [0] Finished loading screen CopyFilesPage. 
[08/19/2015 08:20:57.0923] [0] Disk space required: 1861115762 bytes. 
[08/19/2015 08:20:57.0923] [0] Disk space available: 23339126784 bytes. 
[08/19/2015 08:21:29.0435] [0] File's copying finished. 
[08/19/2015 08:21:29.0591] [0] Finished loading screen InitializingSetupPage. 
[08/19/2015 08:21:38.0451] [0] Setup is choosing the domain controller to use 
[08/19/2015 08:21:42.0195] [0] The MSExchangeADTopology has a persisted domain controller: dc.ad.contoso.org 
[08/19/2015 08:21:45.0565] [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 srv-dc.ad.contoso.org 
[08/19/2015 08:21:45.0799] [0] The schema master domain controller is available 
[08/19/2015 08:21:45.0908] [0] [ERROR] Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
[08/19/2015 08:21:45.0955] [0] [ERROR] Object reference not set to an instance of an object. 
[08/19/2015 08:21:49.0574] [0] CurrentResult setupbase.maincore:396: 1 
[08/19/2015 08:21:49.0574] [0] End of Setup 
[08/19/2015 08:21:49.0574] [0] ********************************************** 

Install log of the new server: 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0252] [0] ********************************************** 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0252] [0] Starting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 9 Setup 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0252] [0] ********************************************** 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0252] [0] Local time zone: (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0252] [0] Operating system version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0252] [0] Setup version: 15.0.1104.5. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0268] [0] Logged on user: AD\admin. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0268] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Setup, wasn't found. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0283] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Setup, wasn't found. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0361] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='sourcedir', Value='C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSetup'. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0408] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='mode', Value='Install'. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0408] [0] RuntimeAssembly was started with the following command: '/sourcedir:C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSetup /mode:Install'. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:53.0408] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Setup, wasn't found. 
[08/17/2015 19:25:54.0643] [0] Finished loading screen CheckForUpdatesPage. 
[08/17/2015 19:26:25.0878] [0] Finished loading screen UpdatesDownloadsPage. 
[08/17/2015 19:26:59.0285] [0] Starting file's copying... 
[08/17/2015 19:26:59.0300] [0] Setup copy files from 'C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSetup\Setup\ServerRoles\Common' to 'C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup' 
[08/17/2015 19:26:59.0441] [0] Disk space required: 1861115762 bytes. 
[08/17/2015 19:26:59.0441] [0] Disk space available: 24176599040 bytes. 
[08/17/2015 19:26:59.0488] [0] Finished loading screen CopyFilesPage. 
[08/17/2015 19:27:18.0394] [0] File's copying finished. 
[08/17/2015 19:27:18.0426] [0] Finished loading screen InitializingSetupPage. 
[08/17/2015 19:27:28.0129] [0] Setup is choosing the domain controller to use 
[08/17/2015 19:27:38.0129] [0] Setup is choosing a local domain controller... 
[08/17/2015 19:27:42.0816] [0] Setup has chosen the local domain controller dc.ad.contoso.org for initial queries 
[08/17/2015 19:27:43.0801] [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 srv-dc.ad.contoso.org 
[08/17/2015 19:27:43.0863] [0] The schema master domain controller is available 
[08/17/2015 19:27:44.0051] [0] [ERROR] Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
[08/17/2015 19:27:44.0066] [0] [ERROR] Object reference not set to an instance of an object. 
[08/17/2015 19:59:55.0355] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\V15\Setup, wasn't found. 
[08/17/2015 19:59:55.0355] [0] CurrentResult setupbase.maincore:396: 1 
[08/17/2015 19:59:55.0355] [0] End of Setup 
[08/17/2015 19:59:55.0355] [0] **********************************************

Hi,

If I understood correctly, you are trying to install  Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 9 (CU9) even before installing the Exchange 2013 or Exchange 2013 with sp1 installation. Can you give a clarity? If my understanding is correct, you need to install Exchange 2013 first and then try the CU9

Sorry if I was unclear. I can't edit the original question anymore as to update it.

I already have a Exchange 2013 installed on my DC (Server 2008R2). When I try to update that one the installer craps out with said error (as can be seen in the first install log).

When I try to install on a new server (clean installed Server 2012 R2, no other roles), the installer dies with the same error as can be seen on the second install log.

I was however under the impression that the downloads that can be found here ( https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=47679 ) where full installations.

• Edited by Frajko 21 hours 3 minutes ago

Hello,

In this case, you have to correct the exchange server first by following the blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/mspfe/archive/2014/06/11/exchange-server-2013-cu5-installation-issue.aspx

After that try to install the new server

Manu,

Thanks for getting back to me. I confirmed my Exchange version to be Exchange 2013 CU3

AdminDisplayVersion
-------------------
Version 15.0 (Build 775.38)

I also confirmed the version numbers. 

• <Organisation Name>: : 15763.
• Microsoft Exchange System Objects: 13236
• ms-Exch-Schema-Version-Pt: 15283

According to technet these are the correct numbers for Exchange 2013 CU3. 

Setup.exe /PrepareAD /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms yields the following install log

[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0108] [0] **********************************************
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0140] [0] Starting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Cumulative Update 9 Setup
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0140] [0] **********************************************
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0140] [0] Local time zone: (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0155] [0] Operating system version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0155] [0] Setup version: 15.0.1104.5.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0155] [0] Logged on user: AD\admin.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0202] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='preparead', Value=''.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0202] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='iacceptexchangeserverlicenseterms', Value=''.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0202] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='sourcedir', Value='c:\temp\ExchSetup'.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0296] [0] RuntimeAssembly was started with the following command: '/PrepareAD /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms /sourcedir:c:\temp\ExchSetup'.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0296] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\v8.0, wasn't found.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0296] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\v14, wasn't found.
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0311] [0] Copying Files...
[08/19/2015 12:40:05.0311] [0] Starting copy from c:\temp\ExchSetup\Setup\ServerRoles\Common to C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup.
[08/19/2015 12:40:15.0171] [0] Finished copy from c:\temp\ExchSetup\Setup\ServerRoles\Common to C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup.
[08/19/2015 12:40:15.0171] [0] File copy complete. Setup will now collect additional information needed for installation.
[08/19/2015 12:40:15.0187] [0] Assembly dll file location is C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup\Microsoft.Exchange.Setup.Console.dll
[08/19/2015 12:40:19.0914] [0] Setup is choosing the domain controller to use
[08/19/2015 12:40:23.0392] [0] The MSExchangeADTopology has a persisted domain controller: exchange.ad.contoso.org
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0372] [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 srv-dc.ad.contoso.org
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0403] [0] The schema master domain controller is available
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] [ERROR] Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] [ERROR] Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] CurrentResult SetupLauncherHelper.loadassembly:444: 1
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] The Exchange Server setup operation didn't complete.  More details can be found in ExchangeSetup.log located in the <SystemDrive>:\ExchangeSetupLogs folder.
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] CurrentResult main.run:235: 1
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] CurrentResult setupbase.maincore:396: 1
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] End of Setup
[08/19/2015 12:40:26.0435] [0] **********************************************

Sorry if I was unclear. I can't edit the original question anymore as to update it.

I already have a Exchange 2013 installed on my DC (Server 2008R2). When I try to update that one the installer craps out with said error (as can be seen in the first install log).

When I try to install on a new server (clean installed Server 2012 R2, no other roles), the installer dies with the same error as can be seen on the second install log.

I was however under the impression that the downloads that can be found here ( https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=47679 ) where full installations.

• Edited by Frajko Wednesday, August 19, 2015 10:25 AM

A minor update.

I am able to run the /PrepareAD and /PrepareAllDomains commands from the Exchange 2013 CU3 setup.

However, running them from the CU9 setup still yields the same error.

Hi,

Firstly, installing Exchange on a domain controller is not recommended:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms.exch.setupreadiness.warninginstallexchangerolesondomaincontroller%28v=exchg.160%29.aspx

By default, exchange setup process will choose a GC after select DC and locate the schema master. However, it get error after locate the schema master. Please post relevant error meesage in ExchangeSetup.log located in the <SystemDrive>:\ExchangeSetupLogs for further analysis.

Also, check the GC whether it's available, and use dcdiag /v to check the health of DC. More details about "Determine Whether a Domain Controller Is a Global Catalog Server", for your reference: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc794880(v=ws.10).aspx

Hey Allen,

I am aware that Exchange on a DC is not the best idea. That's why I'm trying to get a second one, not on a DC up and running :-)

I checked my DC's availability with dcdiag /v and all tests passed.

Anyway, as requested. The last entry from ExchangeSetupLogs

[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0040] [0] **********************************************
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0071] [0] Starting Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 Service Pack 1 Setup
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0071] [0] **********************************************
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0071] [0] Local time zone: (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0071] [0] Operating system version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0071] [0] Setup version: 15.0.847.32.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0071] [0] Logged on user: AD\admin.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0118] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='prepareschema', Value=''.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0118] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='iacceptexchangeserverlicenseterms', Value=''.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0118] [0] Command Line Parameter Name='sourcedir', Value='C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSP1'.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0211] [0] RuntimeAssembly was started with the following command: '/PrepareSchema /IAcceptExchangeServerLicenseTerms /sourcedir:C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSP1'.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0211] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\v8.0, wasn't found.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0211] [0] The registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ExchangeServer\v14, wasn't found.
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0242] [0] Copying Files...
[08/20/2015 08:37:19.0258] [0] Starting copy from C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSP1\Setup\ServerRoles\Common to C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup.
[08/20/2015 08:37:34.0078] [0] Finished copy from C:\Users\admin\Downloads\ExchSP1\Setup\ServerRoles\Common to C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup.
[08/20/2015 08:37:34.0078] [0] File copy complete. Setup will now collect additional information needed for installation.
[08/20/2015 08:37:34.0094] [0] Assembly dll file location is C:\Windows\Temp\ExchangeSetup\Microsoft.Exchange.Setup.Console.dll
[08/20/2015 08:37:37.0775] [0] Setup is choosing the domain controller to use
[08/20/2015 08:37:42.0206] [0] The MSExchangeADTopology has a persisted domain controller: exchange.ad.contoso.org
[08/20/2015 08:37:47.0978] [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 srv-dc.ad.contoso.org
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0040] [0] The schema master domain controller is available
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0165] [0] [ERROR] Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0165] [0] [ERROR] Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0165] [0] CurrentResult SetupLauncherHelper.loadassembly:444: 1
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0196] [0] The Exchange Server setup operation didn't complete.  More details can be found in ExchangeSetup.log located in the <SystemDrive>:\ExchangeSetupLogs folder.
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0196] [0] CurrentResult main.run:235: 1
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0196] [0] CurrentResult setupbase.maincore:396: 1
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0196] [0] End of Setup
[08/20/2015 08:37:48.0196] [0] **********************************************

• Edited by Frajko 22 hours 48 minutes ago