<div>
What exactly did you restore?<br />
<br />
Did you restore all the data and the system state?
</div>


<div>
System state was the first thing to pop in my mind as well. Did you perform the restore from active directory restore mode?
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<div>
(Sorry... I meant DSRM, directory services restore mode).
</div>


<div>
no i did not do that. &nbsp;Should I &nbsp;reinstall windows, dc promo then boot to DSRM and do the restore?
</div>


<div>
If you have system-state captured, reboot the server into DSRM and follow the guide here:<br />
<a href="https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727048.aspx" rel="ugc">https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727048.aspx</a><br />
<br />
Don't reinstall the serverOS, that's why we have backups.
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<div>
i installed stardard not r2 and I think thats the issue. <br />
<br />
as a result, ntbackup isn't working and a lot of other things. &nbsp;It did before the restore but not after. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
The backup is r2.
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<div>
So, I won't kid you now.. you might be in a bad place, so lets be very careful how we proceed, or you may just be starting over.:<br />
<br />
1) is this your only domain controller? if yes, proceed below.<br />
If no, just rebuild a new server, and do another dcpromo as a second DC.<br />
<br />
You'll have to perform metadata cleanup on the first DC, but that's not too tough.<br />
<br />
2) is this your only DC, and your ntback on an external drive?<br />
if yes, you may still be okay. *yikes, proceed very cautiously*<br />
remove the external usb drive, so we don't corrupt the data.<br />
rebuild the server now, with the R2 version of windows. enable windows backup, and then perform a full restore from the external drive.<br />
<br />
With any luck, **cross ur fingers** , reboot the system, and it should come back up.. Though you may have some errors, etc, that you'll need to research, and fix.<br />
<br />
You may want to wait and see if any other experts have any suggestions, before proceeding to quickly.
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<div>
this IS the only dc. &nbsp;If i reinstall 2003 R2 thats ok. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
do i still dc promo before and do the authoritative restore first?<br />
<br />
I only care about AD on this. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
thx for your help.<br />
<br />
metalfubar
</div>


<div>
can someone point me to a download of windows 2003 R2 and i have the cd keys?
</div>


<div>
you cannot download 2003 anymore.. Its past EoL. There is no support or downloads for anything older then 2008.
</div>


<div>
i have the media now. &nbsp;testing the reinstall. &nbsp;the first one was sp1 and this one will be sp2.<br />
<br />
Let me know if there's a work around to all the errors I'm getting?<br />
<br />
mfbar
</div>


<div>
if you have a full backup. <br />
just install windows (whtever version was on the server) , make machine name, simple user/pass <br />
reboot hit F8 choose the directory restore boot option<br />
load the backup and restore, and choose the restore from your backup.
</div>


<div>
thanks,<br />
<br />
so i don't need to install AD first before the F8 in dsrm?<br />
<br />
thanks does anyone have a 2003 r2 trial key or can point me to one? &nbsp;my oem keys are not working.
</div>


<div>
i have the trial key if someone is stuck and needs. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
Please elaborate on if I need to dcpromo and create a domain before the f8 DSRM restore?<br />
<br />
todd
</div>


<div>
No, you don't, as long as you have the DSRM restore. That restoration will restore the services to the state they were in at the previous backup.<br />
<br />
If you have a windows backup, you can also restore from windows backup, by restoring the system state of a domain controller.<br />
<br />
Here are a couple links to help out..<br />
<a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc784922(v=ws.10).aspx" rel="ugc">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc784922(v=ws.10).aspx</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc758435(v=ws.10).aspx" rel="ugc">https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc758435(v=ws.10).aspx</a>
</div>


<div>
i have a system state backup only but only care about AD.
</div>


<div>
i also want to confirm that this is the only DC.
</div>


<div>
same thing as before. &nbsp;i go to F8 and choose the defaults under ntbackup.exe and the same issue occurs. &nbsp;no aduc and a ton of dll and snap errors. &nbsp;the dc already thinks its a dc after the restore. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
the server is unusable. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
do I need to do the following to get the ADUC to restore?<br />
<br />
o start the Windows Server 2003 backup utility, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.<br />
This procedure provides steps for restoring from backup in Wizard Mode. By default, the Always Start in Wizard Mode check box is selected in the Backup or Restore Wizard. If the Welcome to the Backup Utility Advanced Mode page appears, click Wizard Mode to open the Backup or Restore Wizard.<br />
On the Welcome to the Backup or Restore Wizard page, click Next.<br />
Click Restore files and settings, and then click Next.<br />
Select System State, and then click Next.<br />
On the Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard page, click Advanced.<br />
In Restore files to, click Original Location, and then click Next.<br />
Click Leave existing files (Recommended), and then click Next.<br />
In Advanced Restore Options, select the following check boxes, and then click Next:<br />
Restore security settings <br />
<br />
Restore junction points, but not the folders and file data they reference <br />
<br />
Preserve existing volume mount points
</div>


<div>
You may have to bite-the-bullet and manually, reregister all the DLLs. <br />
Even then, I don't know if that will fix your issue. Who knows if you have other underlying issues, that you will have to additionally investigate. You'd have to evaluate every error in the event log, and research them all 1 at a time.<br />
<br />
It sounds like your backup may not be complete, or corrupt somehow. Were the backups ever tested?<br />
<br />
How many groups/accounts do you have in AD? It might be time to consider rebuilding AD. (Maybe even installing 2012.) <br />
Continuing to pound away at this, may not be worth it.. If you don't have that many groups/accounts, it may be easier and faster to just start over.<br />
<br />
something worth considering..
</div>


<div>
point is well taken and I have ordered a new server for a new domain. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
This is simply to save ad in its current state for a few months until the new domain is completely up and running. &nbsp;thanks for your help.<br />
<br />
metalfubar
</div>


<div>
I now feel that I can only extact AD manually into the newly installed OS.<br />
<br />
Should I use dcpromo /adv to gain the necessary file from the system state bak file?<br />
<br />
Please help!
</div>


<div>
I still have the windows server 2003 r2 eval license on the box. &nbsp;Is there an easy upgrade path the the full version? &nbsp;From what I've heard it's boot to cd and do the repair option? &nbsp;i'd like to preserve settings. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
I'm going to try the dcpromo/adv thing monday and will let you know. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
this has been a very interesting case to say the least.<br />
<br />
thx for your help.
</div>


<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
trying to go through restoring this server from backup.<br />
<br />
was able to extract the backup and restore but aduc is missing? &nbsp;<br />
<br />
It says its a dc when running dc promo but i didn't do that so the restore must have.<br />
<br />
this is the only dc and i'm not sure what article to follow on this.<br />
<br />
It boots ok but gets dll and snap in errors, can't view a lot things (like device manger or networking?)<br />
<br />
please help!<br />
<br />
Metalfubar
</div>
</div>


trying to go through restoring this server from backup.

was able to extract the backup and restore but aduc is missing?  

It says its a dc when running dc promo but i didn't do that so the restore must have.

this is the only dc and i'm not sure what article to follow on this.

It boots ok but gets dll and snap in errors, can't view a lot things (like device manger or networking?)

please help!

Metalfubar

windows 2003 server need help restoring active directory

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 term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.

Storage Software

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.