EXchange 2003 Won't Start After DCPROMO

[ReddogCA]

My Exchange 2003 won't start after I DCPROMO'd the Windows 2000 Server DC it was on. I made it a Mbr Srv. I did everything I could find on the Internet related to the error msg, i.e. edited group policy and reran domainprep. Nothing worked. So I put DCPROMO'd it back to a DC and it now it works again. Any ideas?

 

[ReddogCA]

Apparently Microsoft does not support this action, KB822179.

How about if once I DCPROMO then I reinstall Exchange, TechNet Article “How to Reinstall Exchange 2003 over a Damaged Installation”?

 

[Zelandakh]

It isn't supported despite MS having a product called SBS that is designed to be Exchange on a DC.

You can dcpromo is down again, backup Exchange, uninstall Exchange completely, dcpromo up, install Exchange, service pack it then restore Exchange.

Or use another computer as a DC...

 

[58sniper]

You're borked. Known issue to NEVER dcpromo a server running Exchange.

My understanding is that once that's done, Exchange is permanently busted.

NEVER put Exchange on a DC. NEVER.

Pat Richard, MCSE MCSA:Messaging CNA
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[ReddogCA]

Ok, so here we go...I know I need to reinstall Exchange if I want this to happen. So, do I uninstall Exchange, dcpromo, and then reinstall Exchange? Or, do I dcpromo and then reinstall Exchange? Thanks for everyones comments.

 

[RichardHuang]

I would do in this way, which is tedious but safe:
1. Install a Temp exchange server and join to current organization
2. Migrate all mailbox and other settings to the new server
3. Uninstall and completely remove the current exchange server
4. Dcpromot the DC
5. Reload the server
6. install back the exchange and migrate back all the mailboxes, etc
7. remove the temp server
done

 

[Zelandakh]

Boo hiss.

It is working so why change?

I've done it before and while it isn't supported as it can be a PITA it does work.