Directory Service could not start 0xc00002e1

[AndyMac]

This is a large rollout of imaged and sysprep'd W2000 / SQL servers. The servers are to the stage of being workgroup servers when imaged (SQL2000 SP1 is installed, W2K SP2). I run DCPromo, then do not reboot when prompted, but install the DNS service, then re-apply the SP2 and finally reboot. When rebooting around 40% of the servers come up with the following error:

Security Accounts Manager initialisation failed because of the following error: Directory Service could not start. Error status: 0xc00002e1. Please click OK to shutdown the system and reboot into Directory Services Restore Mode, check the event log for more information.

The MS fix is detailed in Q240655 and suggests a restore of AD from backup

This assumes that the AD is corrupt. I have never had a working AD to get corrupted.
Anyone else come accross this?
At the moment we are reimaging, doing the same again and it works fine. Any suggestions to a fix greatly appreciated.

Andy

 

[Zelandakh]

When it asks you to reboot, you need to do so to get AD settled. I think the problem is down to DNS putting entries into AD before it is finished installing itself. Try it this way and see if the problem goes away.

 

[AndyMac]

Thanks for the advice. Tried not installing DNS this but no joy. Found another article detailing the problem but still expects to restore from elsewhere see:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q258007

I can restore from an image , and do the same again and all works.

 

[Stevehewitt]

I did have this problem. If a bit of software, espically a OS or service like AD asks you to reboot, do it! Steve Hewitt
IT Administrator

Windows 2000 Microsoft Certified Professional (75 - 215)

http://welcome.to/stevehewitt