Mark Chipman
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Mark Chipman
asked on 15 Dec 2005, 11:58 PM
Hello:
I need help from an knowledgable expert in Windows networking. In my LAN, I have 5 webservers and one of them is the domain controller. I don't have a backup Domain Controller. The LAN is solely comprised of Windows 2000 Server/Advanced servers. The Domain Controller happens to also be configured as a DNS server.
My problem is that the harddisk (not mirrored -- so I'm SOL) just went belly up. All of the other machines on the LAN are functioning fine, except now they don't have a Domain Controller to keep things synced.
I would like to know if its possible to just build a new Domain Controller and somehow get the other machines to join the new box or, now that the Domain Controller is history and I don't have a backup, will all the other machines forever-more only run in Stand Alone mode.
Need help and advice ASAP. Unfortunately, I'm not a MCSE.
Thanks,
-Mark
I need help from an knowledgable expert in Windows networking. In my LAN, I have 5 webservers and one of them is the domain controller. I don't have a backup Domain Controller. The LAN is solely comprised of Windows 2000 Server/Advanced servers. The Domain Controller happens to also be configured as a DNS server.
My problem is that the harddisk (not mirrored -- so I'm SOL) just went belly up. All of the other machines on the LAN are functioning fine, except now they don't have a Domain Controller to keep things synced.
I would like to know if its possible to just build a new Domain Controller and somehow get the other machines to join the new box or, now that the Domain Controller is history and I don't have a backup, will all the other machines forever-more only run in Stand Alone mode.
Need help and advice ASAP. Unfortunately, I'm not a MCSE.
Thanks,
-Mark
3 Answers, 1 is accepted
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Josef Rogovsky
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answered on 16 Dec 2005, 05:05 AM
My MCSE is stale.
My business partner usually tackles things like this and I would ask him for you but he's away on vacation.
My instinct tells me that since you did not have a server designated as a backup DC you cannot now promote a server to be your primary DC.
I could be way off base though.
My business partner usually tackles things like this and I would ask him for you but he's away on vacation.
My instinct tells me that since you did not have a server designated as a backup DC you cannot now promote a server to be your primary DC.
I could be way off base though.
0
Hi Mark,
We are sorry to say that you are in a terrible situation!
I have two suggestions:
1) Take the broken disk to a specialized computer service and ask them whether they can repair/replace the electronic part (if replacement is to take place, you will need the exact same disk). This may help to make it operational again. If this procedure is successful then all your problems are gone!!!
2) It is possible to install new Domain Controller but you have to know that all previous security settings, user and group accounts, policies and other settings will be lost and must be reconfigured again. To do this, you will need an account-member of the local Administrators group to leave the old domain witch is not operational. This is done through:
My Computer > Properties > Computer Name > Change button > Click Workgroup > Type any name> Then type username with administrative privileges and password.
After you have left the old domain you must install and configure a new one. Take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/server/serversteps.asp for help.
The next step is to do the same for all users. Once you are done, you need to join all users to the new domain. All users’ accounts must be recreated in the Active Directory Users and Computers in the Administrative tools.
This is just the start - you need to recreate all previous settings, depending on the pervious configuration.
Murphy's Law: If you think that things may possibly go wrong – they always will.
Kind regards,
Saiman, network administrator
telerik team
www.telerik.com | www.sharepointcontrols.com | www.sitefinity.com | www.mcmscontrols.com
We are sorry to say that you are in a terrible situation!
I have two suggestions:
1) Take the broken disk to a specialized computer service and ask them whether they can repair/replace the electronic part (if replacement is to take place, you will need the exact same disk). This may help to make it operational again. If this procedure is successful then all your problems are gone!!!
2) It is possible to install new Domain Controller but you have to know that all previous security settings, user and group accounts, policies and other settings will be lost and must be reconfigured again. To do this, you will need an account-member of the local Administrators group to leave the old domain witch is not operational. This is done through:
My Computer > Properties > Computer Name > Change button > Click Workgroup > Type any name> Then type username with administrative privileges and password.
After you have left the old domain you must install and configure a new one. Take a look at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/server/serversteps.asp for help.
The next step is to do the same for all users. Once you are done, you need to join all users to the new domain. All users’ accounts must be recreated in the Active Directory Users and Computers in the Administrative tools.
This is just the start - you need to recreate all previous settings, depending on the pervious configuration.
Murphy's Law: If you think that things may possibly go wrong – they always will.
Kind regards,
Saiman, network administrator
telerik team
www.telerik.com | www.sharepointcontrols.com | www.sitefinity.com | www.mcmscontrols.com
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Mark Chipman
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answered on 16 Dec 2005, 06:29 PM
Hmmm.
It's probably time to just upgrade all of the servers to Windows 2003 anyway and build a new domain afresh. Also I need to upgrade the hardware also and at least mirror the domain controllers hard drives at minimum.
If anyone else can chime in for a miraculous easy solution, please do so.
Thanks,
Mark
It's probably time to just upgrade all of the servers to Windows 2003 anyway and build a new domain afresh. Also I need to upgrade the hardware also and at least mirror the domain controllers hard drives at minimum.
If anyone else can chime in for a miraculous easy solution, please do so.
Thanks,
Mark