32 replies
by lordinfidel
If this is a NT4 Domain Controller, their is no registry key that will demote it to a workgroup state.
In order to acomplish this you will have to reinstall the OS. That is the ONLY way this works in NT4.
In win2k it is a little different. They (MS) saw the need for a different way other than reinstalling the OS. And it works great.
If you have installed 2K as a AD DC, you simply run dcpromo (start/run/dcpromo)and it will demote it for you. No need to reinstall the OS. You can then take it out of the domain and join it to a workgroup.
If you have not installed AD on your 2K machine and wish to take it out of the domain and into a workgroup. This is done by going to your network and dial-up connections and changing your network Identification.
NT4 BDC's and PDC's can not be demoted as domain controllers to member servers or to workgroup status. A PDC can be demoted to a BDC, and a BDC can be promoted to a PDC.
Playing with the registry in order to accomplish this goal will have very adverse affects on your OS and is not reccomended.
good luck
by ktrinh
Greetings,
See the following MS KB articles:
Q238369
How to Promote/Demote Domain Controllers in Windows 2000
See also:
Q296592
Q112549
Q292541
Good luck,
Maxwell
by ktrinh
by lordinfidel
This will be long and I apologize. I took this from the MSDN. Look towards the bottom and you will see a sample dcpromo.log file.
I did some searching in my 2K server bibles (MS 2k resource kit, Inside w2k server from new riders and the 70-240 accelerated exam book from MSpress) the July 2001 MSDN and technet, and there were no references to any keys that give this ability. It may be out there. But if it is, it is a very well kept secret.
But here is the reference from the MSDN.
by lordinfidel
Flush the DNS cache to verify that the DNS entries are correct. The command to use is ipconfig /flushdns.
Removing Data in Active Directory After an Unsuccessful Removal of Active Directory
As part of the removal of Active Directory from a domain controller, the Active Directory Installation Wizard removes the configuration data for the domain controller from Active Directory. This data takes the form of the NTDS Settings object, which exists as a child of the server object (cn=NTDS Settings,cn=,cn=Servers,cn=,cn=Sites,cn=Configuration,dc=forestRootDomain). You can view these objects in the Sites container in the Active Directory Sites and Services console.
by lordinfidel
The attributes of the NTDS Settings object include data that represent how the domain controller is identified to its replication partners, the directory partitions that are maintained on the computer, whether or not the domain controller is a Global Catalog server. The NTDS Settings object is also a container that can have child objects that represent the domain controller's direct replication partners. This data is required for the domain controller to operate within the environment, but the NTDS Settings object is removed upon the removal of Active Directory.
If the NTDS Settings object is not properly removed during the process of removing Active Directory, the administrator can use the Ntdsutil tool to manually remove the NTDS Settings object. The following sections outline the procedure for removing the NTDS Settings object from Active Directory for a specific domain controller using the Ntdsutil tool. For more information about the available options, the administrator can type help on each Ntdstutil menu.
by lordinfidel
Caution
Before manually removing the NTDS Settings object for any server, it is recommended that the administrator also check that replication has occurred because of the removal of Active Directory. Improper use of the Ntdsutil tool can result in partial or complete loss of Active Directory functionality.
For more information about the Ntdsutil tool, see Windows 2000 Support Tools on the Windows 2000 Server operating system CD.
Removing the Domain Controller Object
After you removeActive Directory from a domain controller, the object that represents the server in the Active Directory Sites and Services console remains.
This condition occurs because the server object is a container object that can hold child objects that represent configuration data for other services installed on your computer. For this reason, the wizard does not automatically remove the server object.
Warning
If the server object contains any child objects named NTDS Settings, these objects represent the server as a domain controller and must be removed automatically when Active Directory is removed. If these objects are not removed automatically, or if removal of Active Directory cannot be performed (for example, on a computer that has malfunctioning hardware), these objects must be removed by using the Ntdsutil tool before you can delete the server object.
by lordinfidel
To remove the domain controller object
In the Active Directory Sites and Services, double-click the Sites container to expand it, and then double-click the appropriate site object (the site in which the server resides) to expand the site object.
Double-click the Server container, right-click the server object, and then click Delete.
When you are prompted to confirm deleting the object, click Yes.
Note
This process might not complete successfully for either of the following reasons:
If you receive a message that states the server is a container that contains other objects, before you continue verify that the appropriate services have been stopped.
If you receive a message that states the NTDS Settings object cannot bedeleted, you might be attempting to delete an active domain controller. However, this message would only occur if the NTDS Settings object is the computer which you are trying to delete, otherwise the delete operation will succeed.
An administrator can safely delete the server object in the Active Directory Sites and Services console after all services have been removed and no child objects exist.
by lordinfidel
For more information about the Ntdsutil tool, see Windows 2000 Support Tools on the Windows 2000 Server operating system CD.
Troubleshooting Active Directory Installation Wizard Errors
When the Active Directory Installation Wizard performs the domain controller promotion process, it automatically creates its own log file: the Dcpromoui.log file. Specifically, it verifies and checks the following:
The platform including the computer role (stand-alone client, member workstation, stand-alone server, member server, primary controller, or backup controller).
The version number of the operating system.
The role change of the computer. If the role change cannot occur, it returns an error message to the user; otherwise, it returns "0".
Checks for the presence of at least one logical drive formatted with NTFS version 5. If the drive cannot be found, it returns an error message to the user.
Checks if the user is a member of the Administrators group.
All important API calls are logged with the parameters and the error code returned. For example:
dcpromoui t:0x260 00325 Calling NetValidateName
dcpromoui t:0x260 00326 lpServer : (null)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00327lpName : server.reskit.com
dcpromoui t:0x260 00328 lpAccount : (null)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00329 lpPassword : (null)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00330 NameType : NetSetupNonExistentDomain
dcpromoui t:0x260 00331 Error 0x0 (!0 => error)
by lordinfidel
The error codes are typically Win32 error codes. For more information about the cause of each error according to API, see the Microsoft Platform SDK link on the Web Resources page at http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?PRD=WIN2000&sbp=reskit&ar=webresources.
Please note that not all error codes indicate a malfunction. In some cases, the error is the expected result, as in the following example:
dcpromoui t:0x260 00311 Calling DsGetDcName
dcpromoui t:0x260 00312 ComputerName : (null)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00313 DomainName : server.reskit.com
dcpromoui t:0x260 00314 DomainGuid : (null)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00315 SiteGuid : (null)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00316 Flags : 0x1
dcpromoui t:0x260 00317 Error 0x54B (!0 => error)
dcpromoui t:0x260 00318 Trying again w/ rediscovery
dcpromoui t:0x260 00319 Error 0x54B (!0 => error)
by lordinfidel
This example shows that the error 0x54b is returned from two calls to DsGetDcName. 0x54b is ERROR_NO_SUCH_DOMAIN. This is a good result, because you are validating that the domain does not already exist in this context.
Most error conditions occur during the role change, because this is where high-dependency operations occur, such as DNS name resolution or Kerberos v5 authenticated network connections. The Active Directory Installation Wizard displays these errors. Errors returned from the API are divided as follows:
The operation that was occurring at the time.
The Win32 error text that occur during that specific operation.
For example:
The Directory Service failed to create the object CN=Test,CN=Partitions,CN=Configuration,DC=server1,DC=reskit,DC=com. Please check the event log for possible system errors.
The operation failed because:
The directory cannot validate the proposed directory partition name because it does not hold a replica of the directory partition above the proposed directory partition. "
by lordinfidel
In this example, the promotion operation was attempting to create a cross reference object in the directory partition for the new domain, but that operation failed because Active Directory cannot validate the specific domain name. The problem was that installation of the grandchild domain occurred before the child domain was replicated to the Global Catalog server. The corrective action is to force a replication to the Global Catalog server to allow the name validation to occur.
Usually, theproblem is a network related issue. The first part of the error code, that is the operation that was happening at the time, helps you to isolate the problem. For example, you might see the message "can't open LDAP connection." The second part of theerror code and the second text might help you understand why the error occurred, for example, "unable to authenticate."
For more information about cross reference objects, see "Name Resolution in Active Directory" in this book.
by lordinfidel
Examining the Dcpromo.log File
While Dcpromoui.log logs all the events from a graphical interface perspective , Dcpromo.log captures the creation and removal of Active Directory, SYSVOL trees and the installation, modification and removal of key services.
For more information about the Active Directory Installation and Removal process and why the following events are logged, see "Active Directory Data Storage" in this book.
Format of Dcpromo.log file
A typical line in Dcpromo.log is formatted as follows:
: :
For example:
08/11 14:08:29 Request for promotion returning 0
The description of the promotion operation is usually self explanatory. The status code is NET API_STATUS or Win32 error code. A 0x0 indicates success, any other code indicates an error.
Examining the Dcpromo.log file from an installation of a child domain
During the gathering information phase, Dcpromo.log captures events that identify the DNS domain name, NetBIOS domain name, site name, and the location of the system volume.
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Promotion request for domain controller of new domain
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] DnsDomainName user.reskit.com
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] FlatDomainName USER0
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] SiteName (NULL)
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] SystemVolumeRootPath C:\WINNT\SYSVOL
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] DsDatabasePath C:\WINNT\NTDS, DsLogPath C:\WINNT\NTDS
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] ParentDnsDomainName reskit.com
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] ParentServer (NULL)
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Account reskit\administrator
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Options 2244
Verify the Ntds.dit file path and verify ifSYSVOL is on a fixed drive and resides on an NTFS v5 volume.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Validate supplied paths
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Validating path C:\WINNT\NTDS.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Path is a directory
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Path is on a fixed disk drive.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Validating path C:\WINNT\NTDS.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Path is a directory
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Path is on a fixed disk drive.
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Validating path C:\WINNT\SYSVOL.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Path is on a fixed disk drive.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Path is on an NTFS volume
Ensure the name passed in is unique.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Child domaincreation -- check the new domain name is child of parent domain name.
08/16 16:21:07 [INFO] Domain Creation -- check that the flat name is unique.
Determine the site to place the domain controller and which domain controller to replicatefrom
08/16 16:21:22 [INFO] Start the worker task
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] Request for promotion returning 0
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] No source DC or no site name specified. Searching for dc in domain reskit.com: ( DS_REQUIRED | WRITABLE )
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] Searching for a domain controller for the domain reskit.com
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] Located domain controller reskit.com for domain (null)
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] No user specified source DC
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] No user specified site
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] Using site Default-First-Site-Name for server reskit.com
Force a time synch so Kerberos v5 will authenticate successfully.
08/16 16:21:23 [INFO] Forcing a time synch with \\MARAK.reskit.com
08/16 16:21:17 [INFO] Reading domain policy from the domain controller \\MARAK.reskit.com
08/16 16:21:17 [INFO] Stopping service NETLOGON
08/16 16:21:17 [INFO] Stopping service NETLOGON
08/16 16:21:17 [INFO] Configuring service NETLOGON to 1 returned 0
Prepare the SYSVOL.
08/16 16:21:17 [INFO] Creating the System Volume C:\WINNT\SYSVOL
08/16 16:21:17 [INFO] Deleting current sysvol path C:\WINNT\SYSVOL
08/16 16:21:22 [INFO] Preparing for system volume replication using root C:\WINNT\SYSVOL
by lordinfidel
Ensure that the computer can be a member of the existing forest. If there is an existing forest, contact the Domain Name Master operations master role owner to verify that the domain does not already exist in the forest.
08/16 16:21:22 [INFO] Copying initial Directory Service database file C:\WINNT\system32\ntds.dit to C:\WINNT\NTDS\ntds.dit
08/16 16:21:28 [INFO] Installing the Directory Service
08/16 16:21:28 [INFO] Calling NtdsInstall for user.reskit.com
08/16 16:21:28 [INFO] Starting the Directory Service installation
08/16 16:21:28 [INFO] Validating user supplied options
08/16 16:21:28 [INFO] Determining local site to enter
08/16 16:21:28 [INFO] Examining existing Enterprise Directory Service
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:21:30 [INFO] Configuring the local server to host the Directory Service
Replicate the forest data
08/16 16:22:05 [INFO] Replicating the Directory Service schema container
08/16 16:22:09 [INFO] Replicating CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 100 out of 1002 objects.
08/16 16:22:11 [INFO] Replicating CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 199 out of 1002 objects.
08/16 16:22:13 [INFO] Replicating CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 298 out of 1002 objects.
CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 1002 out of 1002 objects.
08/16 16:22:31 [INFO] Replicating the Directory Service configuration container
08/16 16:22:33 [INFO] Replicating CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 99 out of 1236 objects.
08/16 16:22:35 [INFO] Replicating CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 145 out of 1236 objects.
0
08/16 16:22:53 [INFO] Replicating CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com: received 1186 out of 1236 objects.
Create the new domain.
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:22:54 [INFO] Creating Partition: DC=user,DC=reskit,DC=com; 12 objects remaining.
08/16 16:22:54 [INFO] Creating Partition: DC=user,DC=reskit,DC=com; 11 objects remaining.
08/16 16:22:54 [INFO] Creating Partition: DC=user,DC=reskit,DC=com; 10 objects remaining.
08/16 16:22:55 [INFO] Creating Partition: DC=user,DC=reskit,DC=com; 0 objects remaining.
Move the current users and groups from the registry to Active Directory.
08/16 16:22:57 [INFO] Creating new domain security principals
08/16 16:23:00 [INFO] The Directory Service install is completing
08/16 16:23:02 [INFO] NtdsInstall for user.reskit.com returned 0
08/16 16:23:02 [INFO] DsRolepInstallDs returned 0
Set the local LSA policy to host the domain.
08/16 16:23:02 [INFO] Setting AccountDomainInfo to:
08/16 16:23:02 [INFO] Domain: USER0
08/16 16:23:02 [INFO] Sid: S-1-5-21-776561741-789336058-842925246
by lordinfidel
Configure the domain and domain controller services to autostart when the computer is restarted.
08/16 16:23:03 [INFO] Configuring service w32time08/16 16:23:04 [INFO] Configuring service w32time to 16 returned 0
08/16 16:23:04 [INFO] Configuring service NETLOGON08/16 16:23:05 [INFO] Configuring service NETLOGON to 16 returned 0
08/16 16:23:05 [INFO] DsRolepSetRegStringValue on SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\MSV1_0\Auth2 to RASSFM returned 0
08/16 16:23:05 [INFO] Configuring service RPCLOCATOR08/16 16:23:06 [INFO] Configuring service RPCLOCATOR to 16 returned 0
08/16 16:23:06 [INFO] Configuring service IsmServ08/16 16:23:06 [INFO] Configuring service IsmServ to 16 returned 0
08/16 16:23:06 [INFO] Configuringservice kdc08/16 16:23:07 [INFO] Configuring service kdc to 16 returned 0
08/16 16:23:07 [INFO] Configuring service TrkSvr08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Configuring service TrkSvr to 16 returned 0
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Configuring service NETLOGON08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Configuring service NETLOGON to 144 returned 0
Create a trust relationship to the parent domain.
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Setting the LSA policy information08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Setting the LSA policy information from policy \\MARAK.reskit.com
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Creating a parent trust relationship on domain reskit.com08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Creating trusted domain object on parent
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] DnsDomain: user.reskit.com
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Flat name: USER0
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Direction: 3
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Type: 2
08/16 16:23:08 [INFO] Attributes: 0x0
08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] Creating a trust relationship with domain user.reskit.com08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] Creating trusted domain object on child
08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] DnsDomain: reskit.com
08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] Flat name: RESKIT
08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] Direction: 3
08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] Type: 2
08/16 16:23:09 [INFO] Attributes: 0x400000
08/16 16:23:14 [INFO] Setting the computer's Dns computer name root to user.reskit.com
Set the registry and file ACLs to become a domain controller.08/16 16:23:23 [INFO] Setting security on the domain controller and Directory Service files and registry keys
08/16 16:23:27 [INFO] Securing users\.default
08/16 16:23:27 [INFO] Securing users\.default\software\microsoft\netdde
08/16 16:23:27 [INFO] Securing users\.default\software\microsoft\protected storage system provider
08/16 16:23:27 [INFO] Securing machine\software
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:23:28 [INFO] Securing machine\software\classes
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\command processor
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\cryptography
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\driver signing
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\enterprisecertificates
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\netdde
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\non-driver signing
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\ntds
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\ole
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\protected storage system provider
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\rpc
08/16 16:23:49 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\systemcertificates
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\group policy
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\installer
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\runonce
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\runonceex
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\accessibility
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\aedebug
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\asrcommands
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\classes
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\drivers32
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\efs
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\font drivers
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\fontmapper
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\image file execution options
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\inifilemapping
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\perflib
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\perflib\009
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\profilelist
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\secedit
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\svchost
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\time zones
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\microsoft\Windows NT\currentversion\windows
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\software\policies
08/16 16:23:50 [INFO] Securing machine\system
0
08/16 16:24:31 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\ntds
08/16 16:24:31 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\profiles
08/16 16:24:31 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\repair
by lordinfidel
08/16 16:24:31 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\security
08/16 16:24:31 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32
08/16 16:24:40 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\autoexec.nt
08/16 16:24:40 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\cmos.ram
08/16 16:24:40 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\config
08/16 16:24:41 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\config.nt
08/16 16:24:41 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\dhcp
08/16 16:24:41 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\dllcache
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\grouppolicy
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\hpmon.dll
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\hpmon.hlp
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\ias
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\midimap.cfg
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\ntmsdata
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\system32\spool
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\sysvol
08/16 16:24:51 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\sysvol\domain\policies
08/16 16:24:52 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\tasks
08/16 16:24:52 [INFO] Securing c:\winnt\temp
08/16 16:24:52 [INFO] Securing LanManServer
08/16 16:24:57 [INFO] SetProductType to 2 [LanmanNT] returned 0
08/16 16:24:57 [INFO] The attempted domain controller operation has completed
Returns a success or failure when finished running the Active Directory Installation Wizard.
08/16 16:24:58 [INFO] DsRolepSetOperationDone returned 0
by lordinfidel
<----End of Article------->
Again I apologoize for the length. The only other place to find it is in the resource kit. I could not find this article on line.
by ktrinh
by ktrinh
This discussion is closed to new replies.
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