cannot demote my "test" domain controller

[llidstrom]

I am having server issues and really need to add a test
box back into the live domain as a resouce. I need it to
be a standard member server. However I can not demote the
server as it can no longer communicate with the operations
master, or any other domain controller. I tried to remove
it by saying it was the LAST domain controller, but I can
not remove the other domain controllers that really no
longer exist.

Is there a way I can still demote this server? I really
don't want to re-install

 

[Scott Sanders]

You can forcefully demote the server if it has Service pack 4 on it.

332199 Using the DCPROMO /FORCEREMOVAL Command to Force the Demotion of
Active
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=332199

If this is not the last domain controller in the domain then you will need
to do metadata cleanup on one of the existing domain controllers so that it
knows that the domain controller is gone and not to replicate with it.

Follow this articles to do that
216498 HOW TO: Remove Data in Active Directory After an Unsuccessful Domain
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=216498

Hope this helps.

M. Scott Sanders

MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I
Microsoft Enterprise Support
EPS Directory Services Team
Email: (e-mail address removed)

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.