Where and how can I run the Exchange Server 2003 DomainPrep?

A. Whereas the Exchange 2003 ForestPrep makes changes to the Active Directory (AD) schema and configuration partitions, the Exchange 2003 DomainPrep modifies the domain partition. Because the domain partition is domain specific (unlike the schema and configuration, which are forestwide), you need to run DomainPrep on each domain

• that is the forest root domain (the domain that ForestPrep ran on), or
• in which Exchange 2003 will be installed, or
• that will host Exchange 2003 mail-enabled objects (i.e., users and groups), even if the domain doesn't have Exchange 2003 installed.

To run the Exchange 2003 DomainPrep, perform the following steps:

1. Log on to a domain controller (DC) as a user who is a member of the Domain Admins group in the domain that you want to update.
2. Insert the Exchange 2003 installation CD-ROM or connect to a share that has the installation files.
3. Run Windows Explorer, navigate to the setup\i386 folder on the CD-ROM (or on the network share), then run setup.exe.
4. Setup will copy several files to the DC, and the Microsoft Exchange Installation Wizard will start. Click Next.
5. Click "I agree" to the license agreement, then click Next.
6. The wizard will display the components to be installed; notice under Action that DomainPrep is selected. Click Next.
7. If you receive a warning, as this figure shows, that you have members in the Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access group and are advised to remove unnecessary members from the group, click OK.
8. The Domain update will start.
9. After the update finishes, click Finish to close the completion dialog box.