Issues trying to silently install MS Exchange 2019 on root/child AD environment

Gerald Blasdel 0

I have a root/child AD environment that I would like to install Exchange in.

On one of my root servers I run PrepareSchema, PrepareAD. On a child AD I run PrepareAllDomains.

When I try to install the mailbox role on my exchange server, I get the error:

Couldn't find recipient "rootdomain/Users/SystemMailbox{bb558c35-97f1-4cb9-8ff7-d53741dc928c}.

After each step of the process I run a repadmin /syncall /AeD and repadmin replsummary trying to ensure replication has completed before running the next step.

Suggestions on what I am doing wrong or different steps I can take?

This is on a fresh install of AD.

Alex Zhang-MSFT 1,600 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-11-01T06:55:40.6633333+00:00

Hello, @Gerald Blasdel,

Just checking in to see if above information was helpful.

If the issue has been resolved, please mark the helpful replies as answers.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

1 answer

Andy David - MVP 149.1K Reputation points MVP

2024-10-17T13:37:38.9966667+00:00

If you are missing an arbitration maibox:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/architecture/mailbox-servers/recreate-arbitration-mailboxes?view=exchserver-2019#re-create-the-microsoft-exchange-organization-mailbox-for-oabs
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Gerald Blasdel 0 Reputation points

2024-10-17T13:59:35.86+00:00

I had came across that article before. The first step is to run PrepareAD. Do I run this on my exchange serer, root AD or child AD?

Prior to running the mailbox role install, what do I need to install on my exchange server so I am able to run Get-Mailbox and Enable-Mailbox?

Andy David - MVP 149.1K Reputation points MVP

2024-10-17T14:14:21.17+00:00

Run it from the root forest typically:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/plan-and-deploy/prepare-ad-and-domains?view=exchserver-2019#step-2-prepare-active-directory

Hopefully that will be enough to recreate it correctly.

Gerald Blasdel 0 Reputation points

2024-10-17T14:25:57.11+00:00

I had came across that article before. So I have tried running install mailboxRole on my exchange server and I get the missing mailboxes. When it says to run PrepareAD, and the mailbox commands, should I be running this on my exchange server? If so, what would I need to run on my exchange server to get the mailbox commands installed prior to running the mailbox role install? If possible, I would like to test to see if those exist prior to running the the mailbox role install and have it fail.

Gerald Blasdel 0 Reputation points

2024-10-17T14:26:55.9933333+00:00

Will do. For some reason my comments are not showing up so I probably just double posted.

Alex Zhang-MSFT 1,600 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-18T07:16:26.89+00:00

Hello, @Gerald Blasdel,

I have understood your situation and confusion. Perhaps you can get some help from the following information.

PrepareSchema and PrepareAD: These commands should be run from a machine that has the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) tools installed. This can be your root server or any other server that has these tools. It's not necessary to run these commands from the Exchange server itself.

PrepareAllDomains: This command can be run from any domain-joined machine, including your Exchange server. However, it's typically run from a machine in the child domain to ensure all domains are prepared.

If the answer is helpful please click on ACCEPT ANSWER as it could help other members of the Microsoft Q&A community who have similar questions and are looking for solutions.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

Gerald Blasdel 0 Reputation points

2024-10-18T20:30:45.1166667+00:00

That clears up what I should be doing, but I am still getting my original errors.

I am running PrepareAllDomains on one of the two child servers.

I also moved all FSMO roles to a root server, to see if that would help, but it did not.

I can get a good install, if once it fails the silent install, I wait a while, login to the server, run setup and it detects a failed install, does some type of cleanup (maybe it creates the missing mailboxes?), and then will finish and I can login to exchange. But, this is not consistent and I would like for it to work without failing and then repairing.

Any other suggestions?

Alex Zhang-MSFT 1,600 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-22T02:35:38.4933333+00:00

Hello, @Gerald Blasdel,

Here are some suggestions to help you with your issue:

Review Event Logs: Check the event logs on the root domain and subdomain controllers to see if there are any error messages regarding AD topology replication or Exchange installation.

Check permissions: Make sure that the account you are running the installer on has sufficient permissions. This account should be a member of the Enterprise Administrators, Architecture Administrators, and Domain Administrators groups.

Run the prepare command on the root domain and on the subdomains.

Check Active Directory replication: Ensure that Active Directory replication is working between all domain controllers.

Clean up residual objects: If the previous installation failed, there may be residual objects. You can try to clean up these objects.

Try to create SystemMailbox manually: Sometimes, creating the missing mailbox manually can solve the problem.

Update Exchange: Make sure you are using the latest Exchange Cumulative Update (CU). Sometimes an update can resolve many known issues.

If the answer is helpful please click on ACCEPT ANSWER as it could help other members of the Microsoft Q&A community who have similar questions and are looking for solutions.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

Alex Zhang-MSFT 1,600 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-25T02:41:50.7666667+00:00

Hello, @Gerald Blasdel,

If an answer has been helpful, please consider accepting the answer to help increase visibility of this question for other members of the Microsoft Q&A community. If not, please let us know what is still needed in the comments so the question can be answered. Thank you for helping to improve Microsoft Q&A!

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang

Alex Zhang-MSFT 1,600 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-29T01:35:37.8033333+00:00

Hello, @Gerald Blasdel,

Is there any update on this thread?

If the answer is helpful please click on ACCEPT ANSWER as it could help other members of the Microsoft Q&A community who have similar questions and are looking for solutions.

Best Wishes,

Alex Zhang
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Issues trying to silently install MS Exchange 2019 on root/child AD environment

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