OriginalFisofo
asked on
When deleting a computer that was a member server, get "object is a container and contains other objects..." message
Here's the situation:
We recently purchased a new server to replace two old servers on our network. The new server successfully took over all new roles, DNS holdings, exchange, etc... (this is over the course of a couple of weeks). The old servers were then demoted, then removed from the domain, and finally the drives were wiped after we confirmed everything was working fine. Just to be clear, we aren't having any problems, no event log errors, nadda. Everything is working great.
HOWEVER, the computer object of the old servers did not get removed from Active Directory! Instead, the computer object was simply disabled. I'd like to delet this object, but when I go to delete it, I get this message: "Object <old server name> is a container and contains other objects. Are you sure you want to delete object <old server name> and objects it contains? This operation could take a long time if <old server name> contains a large number of objects."
It lets me delete it, but I just want to make sure I'm not going to hose something if I do. What could it possibly contain? How do I find out? Is it safe to delete it?
I've searched around and found nothing on this particular case so far, but I could've missed it ;)
Thanks for the help!
We recently purchased a new server to replace two old servers on our network. The new server successfully took over all new roles, DNS holdings, exchange, etc... (this is over the course of a couple of weeks). The old servers were then demoted, then removed from the domain, and finally the drives were wiped after we confirmed everything was working fine. Just to be clear, we aren't having any problems, no event log errors, nadda. Everything is working great.
HOWEVER, the computer object of the old servers did not get removed from Active Directory! Instead, the computer object was simply disabled. I'd like to delet this object, but when I go to delete it, I get this message: "Object <old server name> is a container and contains other objects. Are you sure you want to delete object <old server name> and objects it contains? This operation could take a long time if <old server name> contains a large number of objects."
It lets me delete it, but I just want to make sure I'm not going to hose something if I do. What could it possibly contain? How do I find out? Is it safe to delete it?
I've searched around and found nothing on this particular case so far, but I could've missed it ;)
Thanks for the help!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
i think it gives you the message just to be sure you were informed before deleting such an important object from AD
basically it doesnt know what its looking at....you have deleted the physical machine and all it has left is a reference with no data behind it.....its prompting you and warning you of all possible outcomes based on what it does and doesnt know about the object...delete it, its all good
ASKER
Thanks guys, sounds good.
No split?
ASKER
However, I'm still curious before I delete this thing, why is it giving me this message, any explanation? I don't like doing things I don't understand ;)