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Hello Guys can someone help me to perform unattended installation on Windows server 2008 when running the Dcpromo?
Thank you!

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As asked, unattended promotion with Dcpromo is common — and as and noted, the official guidance is the starting point. The notes below avoid repeating example answer-file syntax and instead cover the practical checks, pitfalls and post-install validation that are often missing from quick how-to pages.

Before running unattended promotion: make the server static (IP and gateway), point primary DNS to an existing writable DC, confirm time sync with the domain (Kerberos fails with large skew), and install the AD DS role or ensure the server image includes it. If adding a 2008 DC into an older environment, prepare the schema (run adprep on the schema master with the right privileges). Keep network/firewall rules open for AD traffic: DNS (53), Kerberos (88), LDAP (389/636), SMB (445), RPC endpoint mapper (135) and dynamic RPC high ports (49152–65535 on Server 2008+).

Common failures and where to look: DNS/name resolution issues (fix NIC DNS order and test with name queries), "access denied" (run elevated, verify the account has Domain Admin/appropriate rights), SYSVOL not shared/replicating (check FRS/DFS-R events), and replication errors (use dcdiag and repadmin /showrepl, and check Directory Service/DNS/System logs). Dcpromo produces detailed logs under the Windows debug folders and Event Viewer; review them after any automatic reboot.

Security and automation tips: answer files can expose plaintext credentials — avoid committing them, use temporary service accounts or a secrets store when possible, and validate the full promotion in a lab first. After promotion, run dcdiag and repadmin to confirm health, verify FSMO role placement if relevant, and confirm DNS and SYSVOL are functioning.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

i don't have an answer ,just a tool i use when i need help, its called google search .
lots of results for what you seek . like these ,good luck .

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Member Avatar for JorgeM

You can refer to this Microsoft article for using an unattended file when promoting/demoting Domain Controllers.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947034

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