Select the product you need help with

FIX: "The requested mode is invalid" error message when you run a managed application that uses the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 or an earlier version to access a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain or forest

Article ID: 2260240 - View products that this article applies to.

Symptoms

Consider the following scenario:

You create a System.DirectoryServices.ActiveDirectory.DirectoryContext object in a managed application. The application uses the object to access a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain or forest.
You try to request the mode of the domain or of the forest.

In this scenario, an ActiveDirectoryOperationException exception is generated. Additionally you receive the following error message:

The requested mode is invalid.

Note This issue occurs only when the application uses the .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or an earlier version.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

This issue occurs because a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain and forest are not supported in the DomainMode enumeration function in the versions of the .NET Framework that are earlier than the .NET Framework 4.0.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

Resolution

Hotfix information

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

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft website:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have the .NET Framework 2.0 SP2 or the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix if no affected file is being used.

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.