What does Windows error code 8512 (ERROR_DS_INSTALL_NO_SCH_VERSION_IN_INIFILE) mean?

ERROR_DS_INSTALL_NO_SCH_VERSION_IN_INIFILE

The schema version is missing from schema.ini.

ERROR_DS_INSTALL_NO_SCH_VERSION_IN_INIFILE is Win32 error 8512 (0x00002140) in Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).

What to verify

Verify whether the installation uses a valid schema.ini whose SCHEMA section contains the expected objectVersion entry. Check schema.ini path, size, and checksum, SCHEMA section contents, and installation source and Windows build.

Likely causes

• schema.ini is missing or truncated.
• the SCHEMA section lacks objectVersion.
• the wrong file version was staged.
• servicing or copying altered the file.

Troubleshooting steps

1. Collect schema.ini path, size, and checksum.
2. Record SCHEMA section contents.

Handling, retry, and recovery

Restore the matching installation file from trusted media or repair the component source, then restart the supported deployment workflow.

Related errors

ERROR_DS_BAD_HIERARCHY_FILE concerns hierarchy data; this code specifically identifies missing schema version metadata in schema.ini

Example

A customized deployment image contains an incomplete schema.ini. Replacing it with the matching build file lets promotion validate the schema version.

References

• Microsoft: Win32 system error range containing this code
• Microsoft: AD DS troubleshooting
• Microsoft: repadmin
• Microsoft: dcdiag
• Microsoft: AD and LDS diagnostic event logging