Cannot remove Server 2008 roles

I'm having trouble with one of my servers that is running server 2008. Currently it has been running as a domain controller, print server and hosting the intranet on IIS. As it is getting fairly old and running rather slow i decided to take some of the server roles off it. I was able to demote the server without any problems but now i am unable to remove any of the other roles; such as AD and web services.

When i try to remove the role in Server Manager it freezes on "Initializing Removal...."
When i try to remove it from cmd it freezes at 10%

Any ideas how i could remove them?

Thanks

I would of removed the other roles before demoting the DC this probably has something to do with it to be honest.

Is there anything showing in Event Log?

James.

I was only going to remove the web services role first after i moved to intranet to one of the other servers. I had the same problem so i decided to demote the DC because of how slow it was running.

No new events that i can see in the event log.

Gavin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gavlar

I was only going to remove the web services role first after i moved to intranet to one of the other servers. I had the same problem so i decided to demote the DC because of how slow it was running.

No new events that i can see in the event log.

Gavin

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I am guessing you have tried rebooting the server?

If you have a look at this TechNet Article it will show you how to remove them via GUI (which don't work) or/ using PowerShell or/ Command Prompt

Removing Server Roles and Features

James.

Thanks James, but i have tried this article. When i used the cmd prompt it got stuck at 10% and using powershell gave me an error saying no valid module was found ( I think it is only supported in 2008 R2 )

I have rebooted a couple of times.

Any other ideas??

Hmm...

Does it physically crash when it pauses? I'm surprised nothing is showing in the Event Log to be honest I would expect it to at least throw up an Application Error.

Can you remotely Manage that box from another 2008 Server and remove the roles that way?

Launch Server Manager > Right Click on Server Manager (ComputerName) Node > Select "Connect to Another Computer" and see if you can remove the roles from the box that way.

James.

It just hangs really and doesn't do anything. I left it over night last night and it was at the same place when i got in this morning.

Tried to remotely manager the server but it won't let me connect, connection times out. Good idea though thanks

@gavlar - You have removed the DC role, what role are you trying to remove now? Only the Web services role? You mention AD again?


Sukh

Sukh - I have demoted the DC but AD is still installed as a role. I would like to remove AD and web services if possible.

@gavlar - I would focus on one role at a time, deal with AD first as this may cause other issues.

1. How many DC are there?
2. I assume it's single forest? How many domains?
3. When you tried to demote the DC, did you get any errors? Was this successful?
4. Collect the logs below and post/PM me.

%windir%\debug

Dcpromoui.log
Dcpromos.log
Dcpromo.log

%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\ServerManager\ServerMa nagerExceptions.log
C:\Users\<your_username>\AppData\Local\Temp\Server Manager.Log

Sukh