How can I configure an answer file to use with the Windows Server 2003 domain controller (DC) install-from-media function to promote a Windows 2003 server to a DC?

A. To use an answer file when promoting a DC using the install-from-media function, you must add the following two lines to your answer file:

ReplicateFromMedia=yesReplicationSourcePath=c:NTDSRestore

The second line must contain the path to the location of the DC backup restored files. For example, an answer file might look like

[Unattended]Unattendmode=fullunattended[DCINSTALL]UserName=Password=UserDomain=DatabasePath=c:windowstdsLogPath=c:windowstdsSYSVOLPath=c:windowssysvolSafeModeAdminPassword=CriticalReplicationOnly=NoSiteName=ReplicaOrNewDomain=ReplicaReplicaDomainDNSName=ReplicationSourceDC=ReplicateFromMedia=yesReplicationSourcePath=c:NTDSrestoreRebootOnSuccess=yes

To use this answer file, enter the command

dcpromo /adv /answer:

Be aware that if you use an answer file for a second time to perform another unattended installation, the passwords will be blank and you'll be prompted to re-enter them. The Dcpromo process removes the passwords from the file each time for security reasons.