Corrupted Directory Replicator Registry Entries

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SYMPTOMS

The Directory Replicator service fails to start. The Event Viewer logs error 7023 or 7024.

CAUSE

The following errors can result when the registry information fails to properly register the settings, or from user error when inputting the desired settings in Server Manager while setting up Directory Replication.

Errors Establishing Import and Export Paths

If you input a nonexistent path (for example, misspell the desired path) when you establish the Import and Export paths for Directory Replication in the Server Manager properties setup screen, the following errors appear when you try to exit the Replication Properties dialog box as the system tries to start the Directory Replicator service:

   The system cannot find the file specified.

   -or-

   The system cannot find the path specified.

   The Directory Replicator service terminated with the following error:
   Error 0002: The system cannot find the file specified.

   -or-

   The Directory Replicator service terminated with the following error:
   Error 0003: The system cannot find the path specified.

   Event ID: 7023
   Source: Service Control Manager
   Type: Error
   Category: None
   Description: The Directory Replicator service terminated with the
   following error:

      The system cannot find the file specified.

Managed Directory Information Is Deleted or Corrupted

If the Managed directory information is deleted or corrupted in the Registry, the following error occurs when you try change the Managed directory information by selecting the Manage button, or try to exit the Replication Properties dialog box as Windows NT tries to start the Directory Replicator service:

   The Data is Invalid

   Stop
   Could not start the Directory Replicator Service on \\<machine name>.
   Error 0013: The Data is Invalid

This problem can also occur when you do not stop and restart the Server Manager applet after making registry entry changes to the specified paths being used for replication.

NOTE: This error is logged in the system log with the following status:

   Event ID: 7023
   Source: Service Control Manager
   Type: Error
   Category: None
   Description: The Directory Replicator service terminated with the
   following error:

      The data is invalid.

Error Occurs After You Delete Subkeys

If you try to correct errors from within the registry by simply deleting the following subkeys from the System key under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, additional errors occur:

   CurrentControlSet
   Services
   Replicator
   Imports
   Exports

   The Specified Component could not be found in the configuration
   information.

   Stop
   Could not start the Directory Replicator Service on \\<machine name>.
   Error 2146: The Specified Component could not be found in the
   configuration information

   Event ID: 7024
   Source: Service Control Manager
   Type: Error
   Category: None
   Description: The Directory Replicator service terminated with service-
   specific error 2146.

RESOLUTION

To properly correct corruption:

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

1. Make sure that Server Manager is not running.

2. Open Control Panel, double-click the Services icon, and set the startup parameter for the Replicator service to Manual.

3. Stop the Directory Replicator service on the specified computer.

4. Edit the following HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree Registry entries and then close Registry Editor:

   a. In the System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Exports key,

         delete all values. For example, delete Scripts and its string value.
   

   b. In the System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Imports key,

         delete all values. For example, delete Scripts and its string value.
   

   c. In the System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Replicator\Parameters key,

         under the value ExportPath, set the string to
         <drive>:\.(The valid path to the directories in question).
   

   d. In the same key, under the value ImportPath, set the string to

         <drive>:\.(The valid path to the directories in question).
   

   e. In the same key, delete both the ImportList name and the string

         value.
   

5. From the Server Manager Replication Properties setup screen:

   a. Reset the appropriate Export and Import Directories, usually

         <drive>:\Winnt35\System32\Repl\Export and
         <drive>:\Winnt35\System32\Repl\Import.
   

   b. Reset the Manage Export and Manage Import Directory options as

         needed. You usually need to add the subdirectory scripts.
   

   c. Add the appropriate Import Servers and Export Servers to the list

         boxes.
   

6. Try to close the Replication Properties Setup Screen. This should start the Directory Replicator service on the current computer.