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Manually remove Active Directory

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2 replies

by jimmy

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I was doing an upgrade this weekend and ran into a little snag. I installed a new Windows 2003 server (Server1) and setup Active Directory on this server (DOMAIN.local). I this joined a previously operating (but without AD) Windows 2000 server (Server2) to this and promoted it to be a Domain controller.

This is where the problem starts. Just after promoting the 2000 server, the hard drive in Server1 went out, before the replication was completed. I replaced the drive in Server1, but thenhad to rebuild from scratch.

My problem is this, Server2 "thinks" that it is part of the domain, but since I had to rebuild Server1, it is not. I need to demote Server2, then rejoin it to the domain and promote it again, but AD will not come offof this server because of the confusion mentioned above.

HELP!!!!

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

2 replies

by erikdr

Suppose you're trying to run DCPROMO on Server2, and receiving error messages. What are these? Is there really no option at all to demote it despite the errors?

- The Netherlands

by quintar51

Regarding the first poster, I think the problem here is that if he tries to demote server2, it'll try contacting server1 to be removed from the domain, but since that server1 no longer "exists", it won't be able to demote.

I tried removing AD manually in the past, but to be honest with you, after following all of Microsoft's recommendations, I still ran into problems. The server still saw parts of the "ghost" domain. Here's an article on how to remove AD manually. I personally recommend rebuilding the 2000 server as well. Prior to promoting either of the server, run a system state backup.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/Q216/4/98.ASP&NoWebContent=1

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