My scenario is this, I started with a network of two 2008 servers acting as domain controllers. I added a 2012r2 server and then transferred the FSMO roles to it and set it as a global catalog server and then removed the two 2008 servers from being global catalog servers. I then demoted the first of the two servers. At this point I noticed the 2012r2 server did not have the sysvol and netlogon directory so I pointed DNS to it and had it assume FSMO roles. Active directory is working on my network again, but I still have the 2012r2 server that is not working properly. I have found articles about an authoritive and non-authoritive restore but I don't want to force this server into production if it isn't necessary. I would rather do it via normal processes.
My question is this, can I simply demote it and promote it again and see if it will work properly on a second attempt?
can anyone explain the risks of using an authoritive or non-authoritive restore?