Can't demote secondary dc 2008 R2

Arnold MIshaev 216 Reputation points
2022-05-18T10:10:23.077+00:00

Hi,

we are trying to demote secondary dc 2008 R2 and we encounter when an error message
does any one know what this about?

cause we tried to check all events and didn't find any related events

203123-image.png

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
12,122 questions
Active Directory
Active Directory
A set of directory-based technologies included in Windows Server.
5,851 questions
0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. SChalakov 10,261 Reputation points MVP
    2022-05-18T10:57:21.623+00:00

    Hi,

    that is not a big issue to worry about. If you have other, healthy domain controllers, you can just delete the domain controller from Active Directory and than do the so called "Metadata Cleanup" in order to remove all residual objects in Active Directory, associated with this DC. The whole procedure is documented in one Microsoft article here:

    Step-By-Step: Manually Removing A Domain Controller Server
    https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/itops-talk-blog/step-by-step-manually-removing-a-domain-controller-server/ba-p/280564

    this will help you get rid of the non-functioning DC.

    (If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)
    Regards,
    Stoyan

    0 comments
  2. Arnold MIshaev 216 Reputation points
    2022-05-18T12:25:00.417+00:00

    Hi @SChalakov

    thank you for your respond,

    I'm familiar with this procedure but we would like to do that in a right way, so we would like to fix the issue fist and then remove it in traditional way :)

    0 comments
  3. SChalakov 10,261 Reputation points MVP
    2022-05-18T13:37:54.29+00:00

    Hi @Arnold MIshaev ,

    I would not go this way unless there is a very strong argument for that. But...let's assume for the moment that you have no other options..
    So here is what I would do in that case:

    • Attempt to fix the corruption by running the System Readiness Tool

    This is describe here and for me that isi the first step if you want to try and solve the issue:

    Resolution for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/deployment/fix-windows-update-errors#resolution-for-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2

    dcpromo fails with An error with no description has occurred on Server 2008R2
    https://robbiecrash.me/the-2008r2-domain-controller-that-wouldnt-demote/

    • Run "sfc /scannow"

    Ref:
    Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-the-system-file-checker-tool-to-repair-missing-or-corrupted-system-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e

    Major problem on our 2008 server, PLEASE HELP!!!
    https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/a2a7f631-6ebb-4d30-a22c-4b5aa86996a4/major-problem-on-our-2008-server-please-help?forum=winservergen

    • In case you have a CA on that server

    Windows 2008: DCPromo Failed
    https://msexchangeguru.com/2016/01/23/w2008-dcpromo-failed/

    Please let me know exactly which steps solved the issue.

    ----------

    (If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)
    Regards,
    Stoyan

    0 comments