<div>
You tried doing an authoritative restore?<br />
<a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/241594" rel="ugc nofollow">http://support.microsoft.com/kb/241594</a>
</div>


<div>
This paper says 2000 will it work with 2003? No I have not come across this.
</div>


<div>
Sorry you have SBS -<br />
Here is a good thread.<br />
<a href="https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22036450/Problem-after-SBS-2003-server-restore-reboots-on-splash-screen-and-won't-boot-anymore.html" rel="ugc">https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22036450/Problem-after-SBS-2003-server-restore-reboots-on-splash-screen-and-won't-boot-anymore.html</a><br />
<br />
The link from Techsoeasy downloads a MS article on hw to restore SBS
</div>


<div>
If I am looking at the link I don't think they have done a backup in a long while so I don't think this will work for us. &nbsp;
</div>


<div>
NO backup!<br />
I cant help if there is no backup. &nbsp;would save as much data off as possible and reload.
</div>


<div>
I know, It wasn't my system. They had the program but didn't use it. They did have shadow copies on, will that work?<br />

</div>


<div>
Shadow copies will help to gather hard data like files but it wont backup system state (IE Active Directory)
</div>


<div>
I guess I may have to reinstall the OS. 
</div>


<div>
Unfortunately it looks like it. &nbsp;Just try and get as much data off as possible.
</div>


<div>
What is a good backup program and system to use for these people in the future? I guess the question is what do you think is the best bang for the buck? Thanks
</div>


<div>
I like backup exec. &nbsp;Very robust for features and its easy to use. &nbsp;It also backs up exchange very quickly and its easy to use.<br />
I also suggest that when you get the domain rebuilt you image the machine initially so if something disastrous happens you have that initial image to work from. &nbsp;Acronis True image server works great.
</div>


<div>
Do you recommend a tape drive if so which one do you like or something else? &nbsp;Thanks for all your help!
</div>


<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
I have a Dell server running SBS 2003 standard that has a corrupt active directory.<br />
<br />
I have tried all the suggested NTDSUTIL items MS had to offer to correct the problem.<br />
<br />
I can only boot up in Safe mode for AD so I am limited on what I can do. <br />
<br />
The domain name says &quot;unknown&quot; which is scary in itself, it should be ALPHA. <br />
<br />
Everything else looks ok but nothing works with AD stuff.<br />
<br />
If I can't do a DCPROMO /forceremoval what else is there for me to do in safe mode?<br />
<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>


I have a Dell server running SBS 2003 standard that has a corrupt active directory.

I have tried all the suggested NTDSUTIL items MS had to offer to correct the problem.

I can only boot up in Safe mode for AD so I am limited on what I can do. 

The domain name says "unknown" which is scary in itself, it should be ALPHA. 

Everything else looks ok but nothing works with AD stuff.

If I can't do a DCPROMO /forceremoval what else is there for me to do in safe mode?

 

 

Corrupt Active Directory in SBS 2003 Standard

Active Directory (AD) is a Microsoft brand for identity-related capabilities. In the on-premises world, Windows Server AD provides a set of identity capabilities and services, and is hugely popular (88% of Fortune 1000 and 95% of enterprises use AD). This topic includes all things Active Directory including DNS, Group Policy, DFS, troubleshooting, ADFS, and all other topics under the Microsoft AD and identity umbrella.

Active Directory

Windows Server 2003 was based on Windows XP and was released in four editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter. It also had derivative versions for clusters, storage and Microsoft’s Small Business Server. Important upgrades included integrating Internet Information Services (IIS), improvements to Active Directory (AD) and Group Policy (GP), and the migration to Automated System Recovery (ASR).

Windows Server 2003

The Microsoft Server topic includes all of the legacy versions of the operating system, including the Windows NT 3.1, NT 3.5, NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 and Windows Home Server versions.