Error message when you install Active Directory in Windows Server 2003: "Active Directory could not replicate the directory partition"

You receive the following error message when you install the Active Directory directory service on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer :Additionally, the following events are logged in the Directory Service log on the same server:

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: NTDS Replication
Event Category: DS RPC Client
Event ID: 1232
Description: Active Directory attempted to perform a remote procedure call (RPC) to the following server. The call timed out and was canceled.
Server: DSA_GUID._msdcs. DNS_Domain_Name
Call Timeout (Mins): 120
Thread ID: Thread_ID
Additional Data
Internal ID:5000ee8

Event Type: Error
Event Source: NTDS General
Event Category: Internal Processing
Event ID: 1168
Description:
Internal error: An Active Directory error has occurred.
Additional Data
Error value (decimal): -1073741823
Error value (hex): c0000001
Internal ID: 3000e1b

This problem occurs because of a remote procedure call (RPC) issue. An RPC server may incorrectly cancel all later asynchronous RPC calls after an RPC client cancels an asynchronous RPC call.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or a later service pack installed.

Note The original release versions of the x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 include the features and fixes that are included in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. If the computer is running an x64-based version of Windows Server 2003, you do not have to install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, 32-bit (x86-based) versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, 32-bit (x86-based) versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

By using the "Install from Media" feature in the Active Directory Installation Wizard, you can use a restored system state backup as the data source when you install Active Directory on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer in a domain. When you use the "Install from Media" feature to install Active Directory, you can gain the following important advantages over network-based installations:

• Fewer network resources are used.
• Sourcing of Active Directory data and sourcing of global catalog data to the new domain controller is faster.
• Recovery of Windows Server 2003-based domain controllers is improved after a hardware failure or after a software failure.

For more information about how to use the "Install from Media" feature to install Active Directory on Windows Server 2003-based member servers, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: