Dcpromo wizard error

[cheewilly]

I'm trying to promote one of my servers to be a bdc, but I get the error 'the domain " " is not an active directory domain, or an active directory domain controller for the domain could not be contacted.' I can ping the current Active Directory pdc and browse to it in network neighborhood. However, I've noticed that its full computer name is hostname only, no domain name included. I've read that I could demote this server to correct its name, but I'm afraid of losing my userlist in Active Directory. Also, this domain controller is not able to use itself as a DNS server, which I'm guessing has something to do with it's FQDN not being correct.

Any tips or ideas anyone can provide me would be greatly appreciated...

 

[RoryJMcKenna]

Worst case scenario use ldife to export Active directory users before demoting your domain controler The only thing you will lose is the passwords... By default after you import they will be blank.

Export
ldifde -m -f users.ldf -d "cn=users,DC=ns,DC=yourDC,DC=Com"

import
ldifde -i -f users.ldf