Why can't I demote NT4 BDC to a W2K3 domain workstation?

Hi,


Recently, we have set up a Windows 2003 domain with 2
DCs. Besides, we have a Windows NT 4 server which
previously serves at a BDC in the old, Windows-NT domain.

I want to demote this NT4 BDC server simply as a
workstation joining the new W2K3 domain.

What I did was: from Computer Management, change the type
of the NT4 computer from server to workstation. After
reboot, it appears as workstation type.

Then, I wanted to change the domain to the new domain
name. But at that point, the system refuses to do so.
System refused to change a different domain name.

It appears to me that it is still working as a NT4 BDC
rather than a workstation.

What can I do to resolve this? I am tempted to remove the
computer from the (old NT4) domain from Computer
Management. But it alerted me that I may never be able to
log in again (as the login names are domain user
accounts). As a BDC, it doesn't have LOCAL user accounts
including administrator account to work with. If I
continue to remove it from the current domain, I don't
know how I can login again.

Pls advise.
thanks,
jackling

Hi Jack,

The only way to change Windows NT 4.0 from BDC to Workstation is to
reinstall Windows NT.

Mike

"Jack Ling" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:059001c49170$532f9b10$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
>
> Recently, we have set up a Windows 2003 domain with 2
> DCs. Besides, we have a Windows NT 4 server which
> previously serves at a BDC in the old, Windows-NT domain.
>
> I want to demote this NT4 BDC server simply as a
> workstation joining the new W2K3 domain.
>
> What I did was: from Computer Management, change the type
> of the NT4 computer from server to workstation. After
> reboot, it appears as workstation type.
>
> Then, I wanted to change the domain to the new domain
> name. But at that point, the system refuses to do so.
> System refused to change a different domain name.
>
> It appears to me that it is still working as a NT4 BDC
> rather than a workstation.
>
> What can I do to resolve this? I am tempted to remove the
> computer from the (old NT4) domain from Computer
> Management. But it alerted me that I may never be able to
> log in again (as the login names are domain user
> accounts). As a BDC, it doesn't have LOCAL user accounts
> including administrator account to work with. If I
> continue to remove it from the current domain, I don't
> know how I can login again.
>
> Pls advise.
> thanks,
> jackling
>
>
>
>
>

Yep. There's no downgrade path from a server OS to a workstation OS - nor is
there an upgrade path in the other direction.

Miha Pihler wrote:
> Hi Jack,
>
> The only way to change Windows NT 4.0 from BDC to Workstation is to
> reinstall Windows NT.
>
> Mike
>
> "Jack Ling" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:059001c49170$532f9b10$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>> Recently, we have set up a Windows 2003 domain with 2
>> DCs. Besides, we have a Windows NT 4 server which
>> previously serves at a BDC in the old, Windows-NT domain.
>>
>> I want to demote this NT4 BDC server simply as a
>> workstation joining the new W2K3 domain.
>>
>> What I did was: from Computer Management, change the type
>> of the NT4 computer from server to workstation. After
>> reboot, it appears as workstation type.
>>
>> Then, I wanted to change the domain to the new domain
>> name. But at that point, the system refuses to do so.
>> System refused to change a different domain name.
>>
>> It appears to me that it is still working as a NT4 BDC
>> rather than a workstation.
>>
>> What can I do to resolve this? I am tempted to remove the
>> computer from the (old NT4) domain from Computer
>> Management. But it alerted me that I may never be able to
>> log in again (as the login names are domain user
>> accounts). As a BDC, it doesn't have LOCAL user accounts
>> including administrator account to work with. If I
>> continue to remove it from the current domain, I don't
>> know how I can login again.
>>
>> Pls advise.
>> thanks,
>> jackling