no domain server available

h0mer0 · 02-13-2007, 10:12 AM

We have a network with 2 win2003 servers running as domain servers. Yesterday one of them restarted and now no one can log in to the domain (except the domain admin account)

I tried transfering roles and global catalog to the other server but got an error message
Using ntsutil I get an error (could not connect to the server handling this role)

I get the same message when I try to transfer a role to the machine that crashed, the one I assume was already handling these roles.

I restored the system states from backup on both server but the problem remains.

I can not demote a server or promote a new one because no domain controler is available.

Right now I'm looking at starting over.
What else can I try to recover?

If I have to start over what would be the best way to make sure all of my users still have access to various file shares ( we stored their my documents and desktop on the server )

any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks
JT

NoReason · 02-15-2007, 11:32 AM

where's the DNS's pointing to? I've had this issue when I had 2 DC's but only 1 was a DNS server. When it went down and came up, it had no idea how to find itself. I added the DNS to the 2nd DC as well and it's fixed the issue in my case.

**bilbus** · 02-15-2007, 05:35 PM

use ntdsutil (from working server) .... seize the domain roles to the working server.

install dns on both servers unless already done.

in dhcp point the dns for your clients to both servers
all set.

02-13-2007, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
h0mer0 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 OS: win2003 server	no domain server available We have a network with 2 win2003 servers running as domain servers. Yesterday one of them restarted and now no one can log in to the domain (except the domain admin account) I tried transfering roles and global catalog to the other server but got an error message Using ntsutil I get an error (could not connect to the server handling this role) I get the same message when I try to transfer a role to the machine that crashed, the one I assume was already handling these roles. I restored the system states from backup on both server but the problem remains. I can not demote a server or promote a new one because no domain controler is available. Right now I'm looking at starting over. What else can I try to recover? If I have to start over what would be the best way to make sure all of my users still have access to various file shares ( we stored their my documents and desktop on the server ) any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks JT

02-15-2007, 11:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
NoReason Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 556 OS: XP Home	where's the DNS's pointing to? I've had this issue when I had 2 DC's but only 1 was a DNS server. When it went down and came up, it had no idea how to find itself. I added the DNS to the 2nd DC as well and it's fixed the issue in my case. __________________ "Four freedoms: The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of everyone to worship God in his own way, everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want . . . everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear . . . anywhere in the world." --Franklin D. Roosevelt U.S. President

02-15-2007, 05:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
bilbus TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 949 OS: OS2 Warp	use ntdsutil (from working server) .... seize the domain roles to the working server. install dns on both servers unless already done. in dhcp point the dns for your clients to both servers all set.