dc cannot be removed using dcpromo - no dns domain or suffix

[JGaley]

I have a domain with 2 dc's all on one subnet. I want to
demote the 2nd dc and make it a member server. When I run
dcpromo, I get an error.

The 2nd dc's fully qualified name under is shown
as "computername." with no domain or dns suffix. I cannot
change it because it is a dc, and I cannot demote it
without getting the "the DSA operation could not proceed
because of a DNS lookup failure" error.

What is the best way to remove this dc? Thanks in advance,

Jason

 

[Matjaz Ladava [MVP]]

First see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q257623
and try to use it to change your domain sufix. Another option is to install
SP4 and use dcpromo -forceremoval
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;332199)

--
Regards

Matjaz Ladava, MCSE (NT4 & 2000), Windows MVP
(e-mail address removed)
http://ladava.com

 

[mudd]

for the DC to demote.

dcpromo /forceremoval

this will take the dc down locally, but you'll have to do a metadata cleanup, or you can just rename the DC as if it were a new DC being added to active directory back after the dcpromo is done.

Do not manually add this dc to the domain, but let dcpromo do it when your ready.