Microsoft KB Archive/311207

= Upgrading from Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition, to Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition, May Not Work =

PSS ID Number: 311207

Article Last Modified on 5/14/2003

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition

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This article was previously published under Q311207



SYMPTOMS
When you try to make a Windows Server 2003 64-bit Enterprise Edition node join a Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition node, the procedure does not work. Because of this, you cannot upgrade from Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition, to Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition.

When the Cluster service starts, it verifies that the nodes that join the cluster are one revision different, for example, the Cluster service verifies if a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 node could not join a Windows NT 4.0 cluster. However, a Windows Server 2003 node can join a Windows 2000 cluster because the two different versions of the nodes that join the cluster are only one version different.

This article describes some of the behaviors that can occur when you upgrade a Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Limited Edition-based computer that is running the Cluster service to Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition.



CAUSE
This behavior occurs because of differences between Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition, and Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition.



WORKAROUND
To work around this behavior, disable the version checking that occurs during the join procedure for the Cluster service.

This article does not describe how to implement rolling upgrades from earlier operating systems by using Windows Server 2003. For information about rolling upgrades for a server cluster, view the &quot;Getting Started&quot; manual that is included with Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition.

How to Disable Version Checking
To temporarily disable the version checking that occurs during the join procedure for the Cluster service while you upgrade from Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition, to Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition:
 * 1) On the node that you are not upgrading, start the Computer Management console.
 * 2) Open Services and Applications.
 * 3) Click Service in the left pane, and then double-click Cluster Service.
 * 4) Click Stop to stop the Cluster service.
 * 5) Type /novercheck in the Start Parameters box, and then click Start to restart the Cluster service.

Note: Do not click OK because the /novercheck switch is a temporary switch. If you restart the node, the Cluster service does not start until you type the /novercheck switch.
 * 1) Upgrade the other node from Windows Advanced Server, Limited Edition, to Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition.

Note: After you upgrade the node, the Cluster service does not start.
 * 1) Start the Computer Management console on the node that you upgraded in the previous step, and then click Services and Applications.
 * 2) Click Service in the left pane, and then double-click Cluster Service.
 * 3) Type /novercheck in the Start Parameters box, and then click Start.

Note: Do not click OK because the /novercheck switch is a temporary switch. If you restart the node, the Cluster service does not start until you type the /novercheck switch.

The Cluster service starts without checking the version information for the other nodes that are in the cluster.

After you follow these steps, upgrade all nodes to Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition, and then start the Cluster service with the /novercheck switch until all the nodes are upgraded. After you upgrade all the nodes to Windows Server 2003, 64-bit Enterprise Edition, the Cluster service starts automatically.

Additional query words: mscs le

Keywords: kbprb KB311207

Technology: kbWinServ2003Ent64bit kbWinServ2003Ent64bitLE kbWinServ2003Ent64bitSearch kbWinServ2003EntSearch kbWinServ2003Search

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