How do I remove a DC from active directory after the hardware is gone

[Brandon]

I have the unfortunate need to remove a domain controller
from active directory after the hardware failed and
another DC had to sieze control.

I can't run dcpromo because the hardware is no longer
functioning so how do I remove the old DC from active
directory.

 

[Simon Geary]

Follow the metadata cleanup process here
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=216498

 

[Simon Geary]

That will not help remove the failed DC from Active Directory.

 

[Buz [MSFT]]

Here is the exact process you should go through:

Here is the normal process you would want to implement if you have a failed
DC. A failed DC can be defined as any DC that was not gracefully demoted
from the domain using DCPROMO.

1. Determine FSMO Roles:

How to Use Replication Monitor to Determine Operations Master [ntrelease]
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q297/2/30.asp

2. Seize Roles that were held by missing DC:

Using Ntdsutil.exe to Seize or Transfer FSMO Roles to a Server[ntrelease]
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/5/04.asp

3. Remove Metadata From Active Directory that referenced the old DC.

Removing Data in Active Directory After an Unsuccessful Demotion[ntrelease]
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q216/4/98.asp

4. Bring up a new DC if desired or run DCPromo /Forceremoval to remove
Active Directory from the failed DC and reDCpromo this DC back into Active
Directory. DCPROMO /FORCEREMOVAL is only available on Windows 2000 SP4 and
Windows 2003 Domain Controllers.

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


Buz Brodin
MCSE NT4 / Win2K
Microsoft Enterprise Domain Support
Direct phone: 980.776.8609
E-mail: (e-mail address removed)