Strange Domain Forest issue

Alex Stath 1 Reputation point
2021-02-15T14:22:02.447+00:00

Hello,

I'm encountering a very strange issue with a windows 2019 server that I would like your opinions / help with. Server in question is a PDC to be, it's running windows 2019 essentials and after adding the domain services role in order to promote the server to PDC, the post configuration fails by stating that the forest already exists on the network (verification of forest name failed the name is already in use on this network. Specify a name that is not in use.).

This is highly unlikely because, A) it's the only windows server on the network and B) I noticed that even by erasing the last character of the domain I get the same error. If I input a totally different name the procedure proceeds without issues. In both cases it's a .local domain and this is the first time that i'm encountering an issue like this.

Thanks,

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Fan Fan 15,301 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-02-16T04:28:33.043+00:00

    Hi,
    Based on my understanding , it is the first DC for the new forest, but failed with the error : the forest already exists on the network ,right?
    If you make sure the name is available, you can check more details why the promotion failed by check the following logs and events:

    %systemroot%\debug\dcpromo.log
    %systemroot%\debug\dcpromo*.log

    • Event viewer\Windows logs\System
    • Event viewer\Windows logs\Application
    • Event viewer\Applications and services logs\Directory Service
    • Event viewer\Applications and services logs\File Replication Service
    • Event viewer\Applications and services logs\DFS Replication Troubleshooting Domain Controller Deployment Best Regards,