DCPromo - 2000 Server

[Carp1812]

I have a Win2k server box that was in a domain as a secondary DC / replication partner with another 2k server box. I tried to run DCPromo to promote it to the PDC unsuccessfully. It tells me that the "operation failed because this server is not the last domain controller in the domain. The server is unwilling to process the request." This server is now in my small home network - 1 desktop, 1 laptop, and the server. I've tried to get rid of all instances of the old PDC on the server - have deleted the replication partner from the WINS server options and then disabled WINS completely. I've removed all AD usernames and passwords. My client machines are all set up with static IPs and pointing the DNS to the current server. I do not have the option of putting this machine back on the same domain as it was before and demoting it. Any ideas or questions?

 

[stash]

I'm unclear what you are trying to do. You stated that the server was already a DC and you wanted to make it the PDC? That requires using either AD users and computers or ntdsutil to transfer the PDC FSMO role, not dcpromo.

 

[Carp1812]

Perhaps that's my problem. Let me clarify a few things and ask a more appropriate question My old network configuration had a PDC and a secondary DC that acted as a replication partner for things such as WINS. I have moved away and took the secondary server with me, leaving the PDC at the old location. I would like to use the secondary server that I brough with me to set up an AD here at the new location. I would also like to change the name of the domain when I do this. What steps do I need to take to make this server the PDC for a new domain. I do not need to keep any of the old AD users/computer information. Thanks in advance.

 

[stash]

You can do this by doing a metadata cleanup to remove the DC that is no longer around and then seize the five FSMO roles to the DC that you do have.

However, you will not be able to change the domain name. If you want to do that, and you dont care about losing your Active Directory, you might as well wipe the box and start over.