Cannot remove Server 2008 roles

[gavlar]

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

[EduTech]

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.

[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

[EduTech]

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

 

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.

[gavlar]

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??

[EduTech]

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.

[gavlar]

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

[sukh]

@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

[gavlar]

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.

[sukh]

@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\ServerManagerExceptions.log

C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\ServerManager.Log

 

Sukh