THe server is a Domain Controller SBS 2008
Im trying to rename a Domain name to something else and also clean everything in the Active Directory, this is a server that it was never really used, only 3 users were just accessing the server for files but nothing really was setup, no policies, rights etc. Now Im taking this server and use it, Im trying to migrate (which I don't know how yet, all I have is a procedure but never done it before) a server 2003 and this one (2008). I tried to use Role Services to delete the Active Directory but it tells me that I can't because THE SERVER IS A DOMAIN CONTROLLER and I must uninstall the domain controller using the ADDS Installation Wizard (cdpromo) first. Is this the best way to clean up the AD and rename this Domain Name ? Also If I deleted how am I going to know if the new domain server is a domain controller or not, I don't know the different types. Please be very basic in your answer, don't pretend I know SBS 2008 by any mean, Im just trying to do this by myself and last the new domain name has to be different from the old domain name ? I would like to use the same domain name I have in my 2003 SBS but not sure if two server can have the same domain name or how is done.
You should probably read through this first
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/sbs-2008-2003-migration(WS.10).aspx
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/sbs-2008-2003-migration(WS.10).aspx
ASKER
Hi leew, I mean by clean it up resetting everything, new domain name, remove old users etc.
ASKER
Hi brwwiggins: that is just when Im ready to migrate, how about the other questions I ask.
Thanks
Thanks
If you want to reset everything, backup the data and reload the server on a clean install.
ASKER
Hi Leew, Nah, its no necessary, too much work.
I will wait until somebody else come up with a better easier idea.
I will wait until somebody else come up with a better easier idea.
SBS Server has some limitation and one of them being is that it has to be the root of the AD forest. If you start trying to remove AD from the SBS server you might as well rebuild everything as leew sugested.
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ASKER
What's up with the questioning ?
Are you in a bad mood Leew ?
Are you calling people BUTCHERS ?????
Post a possible answer and let customer to decide OK ?
All I want to do is rename the domain. As i said in my earlier post, this server was never used, only the C drive was mapped for few people to have access to certain files, no policies, no rights, no groups, no OU, nothing. I dont see the need to reload the whole OS because I just want to rename the domain. Im sure im not the only person that wants to rename a domain, its done every single day. I understand what you are saying but I will only agreed if this was a fully production Server but it never was, that is my point. Thanks for the input. Im going to delete the AD and create a new one, that will give m the option to create a new domain and im sure it will just fine.
Are you in a bad mood Leew ?
Are you calling people BUTCHERS ?????
Post a possible answer and let customer to decide OK ?
All I want to do is rename the domain. As i said in my earlier post, this server was never used, only the C drive was mapped for few people to have access to certain files, no policies, no rights, no groups, no OU, nothing. I dont see the need to reload the whole OS because I just want to rename the domain. Im sure im not the only person that wants to rename a domain, its done every single day. I understand what you are saying but I will only agreed if this was a fully production Server but it never was, that is my point. Thanks for the input. Im going to delete the AD and create a new one, that will give m the option to create a new domain and im sure it will just fine.
You are correct that people can change domain names on a "normal" AD server but with SBS there are some limitations which I think is why we are all recommending reinstalling
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196443
http://www.chicagotech.net/sbs/sbsrename.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196443
http://www.chicagotech.net/sbs/sbsrename.htm
I second what Lee suggested, You can for sure do what you want but if you want it to run trouble free Reinstall.
A
A
ASKER
Ok thanks
ASKER
Leew, Im going to accept your solution, however what I did not like about your answer was the way you responded to my question. A little bit insulting in my opinion. However brwwiggins was the one to convince me with the two links he posted. I will reinstall, no looking to have problems with SBS 2008 at all.
Thanks
Thanks
SBS is a very special product built (in theory) to be installed and managed by the end-user using wizards and following basic documentation. That's the theory. If you have a clue about Windows Server but NOT SBS, you could end up doing more harm than good.
SBS MUST be a domain controller - it's a license violation for it not to be. Further you can only have ONE SBS server on a domain because the SBS server MUST control the FSMO master Roles. There is no option in this. If you want(ed) a second server (or more) you can have them, so long as they are NOT SBS servers.