Domain Controller crash

[Guest]

Hi. I have a small network with 2 servers (each with Windows server 2003) and both are Domain Controllers: server A is the PDC and the most important one; server B is the backup and also the print server. Last week, server B crashed, the hard drive is irrecoverable. So I put a new disk on server B and reinstalled Windows server 2003. But, when I try to add server B to the domain, it cannot do so because the name already exist. I would like to know what I should do:

1) Delete server B from the Active Directory and rebuild everything. In this case, when I try to erase the computer I get a message asking me to choose between the following 3 options:
- Demote this Domain Controller from domain and continue using it as a computer
- Restart Active Directory replication for this Domain Controller
- This Domain Controller is permanently offline and can no longer be demoted using the Active Directory Installation Wizard (DCPROMO)

2) Rebuild server B, but give it a new name

3) Other suggestions

Thank you

 

[Richard McCall [MSFT]]

If you do not have a system state restore of server B then On server A
follow article 216498 to remove the metadata for server B. Make sure all the
FSMO roles are on Server A. and then you should be able to rejoin the domain
and repromote Server b up aas a DC.

230306 HOW TO: Remove Orphaned Domains from Active Directory
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=230306
255504 Using Ntdsutil.exe to Seize or Transfer FSMO Roles to a Domain
Controller
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=255504
--
Richard McCall [MSFT]

"This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights."

Hi. I have a small network with 2 servers (each with Windows server 2003)

and both are Domain Controllers: server A is the PDC and the most important
one; server B is the backup and also the print server. Last week, server B
crashed, the hard drive is irrecoverable. So I put a new disk on server B
and reinstalled Windows server 2003. But, when I try to add server B to the
domain, it cannot do so because the name already exist. I would like to know
what I should do:

1) Delete server B from the Active Directory and rebuild everything. In

this case, when I try to erase the computer I get a message asking me to
choose between the following 3 options:

- Demote this Domain Controller from domain and continue using it as a computer.
- Restart Active Directory replication for this Domain Controller.
- This Domain Controller is permanently offline and can no longer be

demoted using the Active Directory Installation Wizard (DCPROMO).