AD: How can i promote a "BDC" to become a "PDC" in Windows 2000 server AD domain?

[Freddy Ulvseth]

Story is:

I had a windows NT 4.0 server runnings as PDC.
Installed a new NT 4.0 server as BDC.
Promoted the BDC to PDC (old PDC then become an BDC).
Upgraded the new PDC to Windows 2000 Server, set up DNS and Installed AD.
This was then the Master Domain Controller in my domain.
I installed a new server (new hardware) from a clean installation of Windows
2000 server.
Set up DNS as it should, testet for no errors in event logg.
Promoted this server to be the new master by moving the roles from the old
temporary server to this server. Everything worked well.. everythings looked
great.. no errors in event logg... and the temporary server was demoted to
an member (bdc) in my domain..
then my C drive goty fckd up on my master (PDC) and i have to re-install my
server.

1) How can i promote my upgraded windows 2000 server which is now an member
to become a Master again.. it says in AD that the Master is offline,
therefor a Change is not possible of roles.

2) Other ways of sollutions?

Hope for answers

Best Reg.
Freddy Ulvseth

 

[Matjaz Ladava [MVP]]

Do you have another W2k DC live on the network ? If no, then you will have
to go with NT BDC-->PDC upgrade procedure. If yes, then you can use
ntdsutils to seize FSMO roles
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255504). You will
also need to do a metadata cleanup, as you lost your DC without demoting it
first (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;216498)

--
Regards

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

 

[Freddy Ulvseth]

Yes, the server which i moved the master role from is still in the network.
On this server i have used the seize commands and checked all the places in
server, fsmo is now back to this server.
I looked into this metadata cleanup.. i did not understand which of those i
should use...
Worried about deleting the server that realy working

I'm going to look into the web sites you sent me.. (computers cannot access
network or any of my servers...)

Tanks for quick response!

Cheers!

/Freddy.