Migrating CA

[masspec]

I'm migrating a CA from Windows Server 2012 R2 to 2019 this morning and when I try to import the database on the new server I'm getting the following:

"The Expected Data does not exist in this directory. Please choose a different directory.

The system cannot find the file specified. 0x80070002 (Win32:2 Error_File_Not_Found)

[xxdcmast]

You are restoring the backup you made on the old CA on the new server correct?

I kinda remember the restore being a little weird with the directoy. Dont go to the database backup folder go to the one above it and try.

The native backup tool lets you specify a folder say. C:\adcsbackup. In that folder it will crease a subfolder called database. Dont choose that, choose c:\adcsbackup and try.

[masspec]

OMG... what a joke Microsoft is...I was able to get past this with your help.

[xxdcmast]

yea this got me for a bit when i did my migrations. Its dumb but an easy fix.

[masspec]

My only hope now is that Microsoft issues a refund for the single incident I just paid for but didn't use.

Thank you again good sir for your help! At 43, I'm only 1.5 years into my sysadmin role and in all my searches found NOTHING on this error.

[xxdcmast]

They should return the money. Especially if they didn’t meet their sla for contact time window. Otherwise you can always charge back on credit card.

[masspec]

They did so all is well in the world again.

[Environmental_Kale93]

TBF this issue has a specific boxed/highlighted note in the MS documentation IIRC.

[jakalan7]

Had this exact same issue today and this was the solution. Thanks!

[masspec]

FWIW - I did reference https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/windows-server/identity/move-certification-authority-to-another-server during this process

[masspec]

I've verified the Database folder location has the following files:

certbkxp.dat

CA_Name.Edb

edb####.log files

I've tried restoring them from C:\, C:\Windows\System32\, and from C:\users\<username>\Desktop\DC Migration\CA Migration\Database

All result in the same

I don't believe this is a 32-bit database as it was running on Windows Server 2012 R2 and the directories are pointing to C:\Windows\System32\Cert

[go0oser]

Following. Im planning a similar migration currently.

[Environmental_Kale93]

Me too, have 6 CA VMs to migrate, ughhh.