Win2003 SBS can't be on a workgroup?

[harrisonj]

Installed Win2003 SBS. Set it up with a Static IP, (we don't use DHCP) and made it a member of our workgroup. (We don't use a domain) Today I checked the event log, and starting at 6:23pm last night, every 4 hours I get the following error.

"This computer must be configured as a domain controller. To prevent this computer from shutting down in the future, run Setup on the disk that you used to install the operating system to configure the computer as a domain controller."

When I do what the message tells me, it removes the workgroup, adds a domain, and now no one can get to the computer. When I try to put it back on the workgroup, it say's that I must demote the domain first. . . which brings me right back where I started.

How do I keep 2003 SBS on a workgroup, and remove this error?

Thanks in advance,
Harrison

 

[dkediger]

SBS *requires* a domain, in fact that it be the "primary" server in the domain. The reason your PCs can't see it when it is in domain mode is because they are in workgroup mode. They will have to join the domain. While they are in workgroup mode, you can point them to http://yourservename/connectcomputer and it should set them up for domain mode and joined to the SBS AD domain.

Although, since you've demoted/promoted the SBS server several times, I wouldn't be too sure of how well AD and the SBS components would be functioning.

 

[58sniper]

Format & reinstall SBS. Make it a domain controller on a new domain.
Setup DHCP (why aren't you using that?)
Create your user accounts
Migrate your workstations on to the domain

Pat Richard, MCSE(2) MCSA:Messaging, CNA(2)