Windows 2003 Domain name change?

[EKKC]

I set up my Windows 2003 as my domain controller, but now I want to change my domain name. there are no computers joined to this domain yet but I dont really want to setup all the software again.

or it's not possible? anybody can help?

 

[Guga]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/downloads/domainrename.mspx

 

[spyordie007]

A domain rename is not something to be taken lightly; fortunetly for you the domain is very simple. Even so make sure you backup anything you care about before performing it!

 

[stash]

Yeah, it would be great if you want to use it as a learning experience. And it will most likely go without a hitch, since there are no other machines on the domain. Problems tend to crop up when you have exchange, sql, workstations, etc on the domain.

edit: just make sure you follow the directions exactly. The whitepaper on the link above is about 70 pages long, make sure you read the entire thing before you do anything.

 

[NogginBoink]

If you've only got the one DC, dcpromo it down and back up with a new domain name.

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink
If you've only got the one DC, dcpromo it down and back up with a new domain name.

If that don't work, how about a reformat and install?

 

[EKKC]

too lazy

 

[djdrastic]

Yeah for your situation dcpromo it , to remove the domain and use dcpromo to create your new domain again
You can use ldifde to export and import users etc that you have created

 

[EKKC]

ill try that when i get home. the microsoft utility was too complicated for a non-server expert like me

so far i only have administrator. no users yet. but i installed too many apps (exchange svr, SQL svr, etc etc) for me to go format and re-install

i guess before i dcpromo it to take domain out i should uninstall exchange 2003, huh?

 

[nweaver]

start, run path.to/exchange/setup.exe /removeorg

 

[stash]

If he's going to dcpromo down the server, there will no longer be a domain/forest. So running removeorg is not necessary. Also, you need to uninstall Exchange itself before you run removeorg anyway.

Removeorg is for when you are keeping the domain or forest in place but need to get rid of Exchange.

 

[nweaver]

You can run removeorg and then rerun setup and connect to your old mail store (iirc, been a while). I know, because I was "cleaning" off a failed exchange install and read that on a website and tried it (thank god it was a test lab!)

 

[EKKC]

thanks for all the help guys. it was a new instance of exchange that i dont need anyway. i guess will do a clean uninstall and then remove domain / make domain.

will go try it now.