Old Server - put on new domain

[Andie]

I have a Viglen server, installed with Windows Server 2000 under our old Classlink network setup. It still thinks it is on the old domain. All necessary files have been transferred to the new server on our new domain, which has been running for over a year now.

At the moment, the old server is still sitting there doing nothing. I am thinking I would like to use it just as an additional machine that I could send backups to. But the school wouldn't buy a new operating system at present.

Is there a way I can get this machine onto our current domain? I can get workstations on and off domains but this is a server. I know most of you will think this is a really basic thing I should know how to do, but maybe some kind soul will take pity on me....

[Jackd]

can you not just run dcpromo and demote the server then remove add it to the domain via system in control panel (could be wrong just a guess)

[djm968]

Manually demote it!

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/332199

When you demote it, you can join it to the new domain as you would a workstation and it will become a member server.

If you want to add the server to the new domain as a DC your new domain function level must be either Windows 2000 Native or Windows 2000 Mixed.

[Andie]

Thanks. I have never set up a server so was not aware of promotion and demotion procedures, etc. The KB article looks helpful and I will work my way through it and the related stuff, and hopefully get this sorted.

[Andie]

Great stuff! I've managed to demote the server. I just used dcpromo without the forced removal bit, to see if that would work first. That opened the Active Directory Installation Wizard, and I just chose what I hoped were sensible answers to the questions it asked me!! Anyway, I can now log on to the server locally, and hope that means I can join it to the new domain.

Thanks for your help!