'0xC103798A' error when installing Exchange 2003 on Windows 2000 Server

When installing Exchange Server 2003 on Windows 2000 Server, for instance, a bizarre error can occur during the setup wizard:

Microsoft Exchange Installation Wizard Setup failed while installing sub-component Microsoft Windows Active Directory schema update with error code 0xC103798A (please consult the installation logs for a detailed description). You may cancel the installation or try the failed setup again.

This error message can also appear if you're installing over an Exchange 5.5 server that has had its site name changed after the Exchange Server organization was switched to a mixed mode environment. In this instance, the error message refers to a different component -- specifically, the "Active Directory Schema Update" component.

During installation, the setup component queries the Global Catalog Server using LDAP for an attribute named operatingSystemServicePack, which is the operating system's service pack revision.

The response is sometimes returned as SERVICE PACK 3 instead of Service Pack 3. In other words, in all caps case instead of initial caps. The installer reads this data in a case-sensitive fashion and it fails.

To get around this, you'll need to modify the operatingSystemServicePack attribute manually:

1. Run ADSIEDIT.MSC from the command line or the Start -> Run dialog box. If ADSIEDIT.MSC isn't installed, it's available in the Windows 2000 Resource Kit or in a number of places online (e.g., www.dynawell.com). You'll need to manually register ADSIEDIT.DLL using REGSVR32 before you can use ADSIEDIT.MSC.

2. Open the Domain container.

3. Open DC=<your domain>, DC=com (where <your domain> is of course the name of your domain).

4. Open OU=Domain Controllers.

5. Right-click on the Global Catalog Server for your Active Directory site and select Properties.

6. Under Attributes, select the property operatingSystemServicePack, then select the Edit Attribute: field.

7. Set the value to Service Pack 3.

8. Close all dialog boxes.

About the author: Serdar Yegulalp is editor of Windows Insight, a newsletter devoted to hints, tips, tricks, news and goodies for all flavors of Windows users.

Do you have comments on this tip? Let us know.

Related information from SearchExchange.com:

Please let others know how useful this tip was via the rating scale below. Do you have a useful Exchange Server or Microsoft Outlook tip, timesaver or workaround to share? Submit it to SearchExchange.com. If we publish it, we'll send you a nifty thank-you gift.

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchExchange.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. Submit a Tip Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us    RELATED CONTENT Exchange Server Administration Tips Remove Exchange 2003 objects from AD to install Exchange 2010 Is your Exchange 2007 hub transport server healthy? Avoid Outlook 2007 performance issues during repairs Developing an Exchange 2007 server role DR plan How DSAccess service improves Exchange Server 2007 reliability An introduction to the Exchange Remote Connectivity Analyzer tool Monitor Exchange 2007 with disk- and RPC-related counters DPM 2007 replica inconsistencies in Exchange databases Track Exchange 2007 mailbox server health using database counters Digging deeper into Exchange Server 2010 Exchange Server Deployment and Migration Advice Leapfrogging from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010 Two useful tools for documenting an Exchange Server installation Avoid these Exchange Server migration pitfalls Why it's important to document your Exchange installation Exchange Server 2007 support ends at Windows Server 2008 Best practices for moving mailboxes in Exchange Server Exchange Server 2007: Email archiving tips and hosted services trends Exchange Insider e-zine ExMerge gotchas to watch for when migrating Exchange 2003 mailboxes Mailbox viewing problems after migrating to Exchange 2007 Microsoft Exchange Server and Active Directory Remove Exchange 2003 objects from AD to install Exchange 2010 How DSAccess service improves Exchange Server 2007 reliability Restoring user accounts and mailbox links in Active Directory Changing email address formats in Exchange Server 2003 Restore contacts from an Exchange public folder An introduction to the DSAccess service in Exchange Server 2007 Exchange users receiving email addressed to legacy users Mailbox viewing problems after migrating to Exchange 2007 Installing Exchange Server 2003 and a domain controller on the same hardware Top 10 Microsoft Exchange Server tips of 2008 Microsoft Exchange Server and Active Directory Research RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary rehoming  (SearchExchange.com) RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.