removing active directory when "directory services cannot start"

[Frank Jensen]

Hi

I am in a bit of a dead-lock.

Since my AD is corrupt "0xC00002E1" (Have been through KB258062) I can only
start in "Directory Services Restore mode"

When in DSRM I cant run dcpromo /forceremoval

Is there another way to remove AD?

background info:
2 servers: Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Server(this one has the
error)
No System State backup (didnt think I needed one when having more than one
DC)
No network access when in DSRM

Kind regards

Frank Jensen

 

[=?ISO-8859-15?Q?=22Frank_R=F6der_=5BMVP=5D=22?=]

Hi

I am in a bit of a dead-lock.

Since my AD is corrupt "0xC00002E1" (Have been through KB258062) I can only
start in "Directory Services Restore mode"

When in DSRM I cant run dcpromo /forceremoval

Is there another way to remove AD?

background info:
2 servers: Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 Server(this one has the
error)
No System State backup (didnt think I needed one when having more than one
DC)
No network access when in DSRM

navigate to the Registry Key:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions]

Change from:
old
"ProductType"="LanmanNT"
to new
"ProductType"="ServerNT"

Restart the Server and delete the folder "NTDS".
After this procedure you have to clean up the active directory.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;216498

This way is not supported by MS.

 

[Joe Richards [MVP]]

The supported mechanism when you are here is to wipe the drives of the
problem DC and purge the info for the DC from AD.

--
Joe Richards Microsoft MVP Windows Server Directory Services
Author of O'Reilly Active Directory Third Edition
www.joeware.net


---O'Reilly Active Directory Third Edition now available---

http://www.joeware.net/win/ad3e.htm