XADM: Error Message: This Account Must Be Valid Before Continuing (325319)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server
This article was previously published under Q325319

SYMPTOMS

If you use Setup or setup /forestprep to join an existing Exchange Server organization to the root domain in the Active Directory namespace, you receive the following error message after you enter your Exchange Server service account password:
This account must be valid before continuing

CAUSE

This issue may occur if the following conditions are true:
  • The Exchange Server organization resides in a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0-based domain.

    -and-
  • You try to join the Exchange Server organization to the root directory.

    -and
  • No trust relationships have been established between the two domains.

    -or-
  • The existing trust relationship is one way.

    -or-
  • If you have more than one Windows NT 4.0-based domain, the trust relationships do not involve all the Windows NT 4.0-based domains in your network.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, establish a two-way trust relationship between the Windows NT 4.0 domain that contains the Exchange Server computer and the root domain. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Make sure that you are logged on to the Windows 2000 domain controller using an administrative account that has the following group memberships:
    • Enterprise Admins
    • Domain Admins
    • Schema Admins
    • Local Admins

  2. On the Windows 2000 domain controller, click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Active Directory Domains and Trusts.
  3. Right-click the appropriate domain name, click Properties, and then click the Trusts tab.
  4. Under Domains that trust this domain, click Add.
  5. In Trusting Domain, type the name of the Windows NT domain, and then type a password that meets the minimum password requirement for the trusting domain.NOTE: Do not close this dialog box because you must use it in step 10.

  6. Log on to the Windows NT 4.0 primary domain controller (PDC) using an account that has administrative permissions.
  7. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click User Manager for Domains.
  8. On the Policies menu, click Trust Relationships, and then under Trusting Domains, click Add.
  9. In the Trusted Domain box, type the Windows 2000 domain name, and then type the appropriate password.
  10. On the Windows 2000-based computer, under Domains that trust this domain, click Add, and then type the Windows NT domain name and the appropriate password. You receive a message that states that the trusted domain has been added and the trust has been verified.

  11. On the Windows NT 4.0 PDC, add the Windows 2000 domain as a trusted domain, and then type the appropriate password. You receive a message that states "Trust Relationship with Windows2000_Domain_Name successfully established."
At this time, run Setup or setup /forestprep to join the Exchange Server organization to the root domain. If you continue to receive the error message that is listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article, repeat these steps to establish two-way trusts between the remaining Windows NT 4.0 domains in your network and the root domain.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB325319
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