XADM: "A Fatal Setup Error has Occurred" Error Message Occurs When You Try to Install Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server (319757)

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use both of the following methods:

Method 1: Verify the DNS Namespace

Verify that the DNS namespace does not contain a character that is not valid. Request for Comment (RFC) 1123 specifies the following acceptable characters for a DNS name:

• The letters A to Z (uppercase)
• The letters a to z (lowercase)
• The numbers 0 to 9
• The hyphen or dash character (-)

If the DNS name contains a character that is not valid, such as an underscore (_), you must re-create the DNS namespace.

Method 2: Verify DNS Registration

Verify that an "A" record (host record) exists for the computer on which you want to install Exchange 2000 Server. If the server does not have an "A" record listed in DNS, re-register the server. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER.

   ipconfig /registerdns

3. Type exit, and then press ENTER.

Make sure that the DNS server accepts dynamic updates. For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Verify that the DNS server listed as the Preferred DNS server in the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box contains Active Directory zone information. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.
2. Right-click Local Area Connection, and then click Properties.
3. Click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.
4. In the Preferred DNS server box, type the IP address of the DNS server that contains the Active Directory zone information, click OK, and then click OK.
5. Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
6. Type ipconfig /flushdns, and then press ENTER.
7. Type net stop netlogon, and then press ENTER.
8. Type net start netlogon, and then press ENTER.
9. Type exit, and then press ENTER.

If you cannot register the server's host record in DNS, use the NetDiag utility to troubleshoot network connectivity or domain trust issues.

For additional information about the NetDiag program, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: You can also manually add the "A" record into the DNS database. Although this procedure may allow you to work around the issue and permit you to install Exchange 2000 Server, the DNS issue may remain unresolved and you may experience other name resolution issues in the future. Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server requires that the DNS configuration support the Active Directory infrastructure.

For additional information about how to add a host record, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Method 3: Disable the Unused NIC

1. Click Start, and then right-click My Computer.
2. On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
3. Expand the Network Adapters hive.
4. Right-click the unused NIC, and then click Disable.
5. Close the device manager, and then click OK on the System Properties window.
6. Restart the computer.