DCDiag.exe returns incorrect Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG) information

When you run the DCDiag.exe domain controller diagnostics tool together with the /e and the /v switches, DCDiag.exe returns information that is similar to the following: Note The DCDiag.exe tool is included with the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Support Tools. To install the Windows Support Tools, double-click Suptools.msi in the Support\Tools folder on the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM.

This issue occurs when your forest is at the Windows Server 2003 forest functional level. The intersite test that DCDiag.exe performs returns an incorrect analysis about the state of the Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG). This issue occurs because Windows Server 2003 uses a different ISTG keep-alive method from the keep-alive method that is used in Microsoft Windows 2000. The location of the keep-alive information has been moved in Windows Server 2003 to reduce replication overhead. Because DCDiag.exe tries to read this information from an incorrect location, an incorrect analysis about ISTG is returned.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. Windows Server 2003 32-bit editionsWindows Server 2003 64-bit editions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: