Hi Im trying to replace an old W2k server with a newer W2k3 server. The problem im having is that the role of Domain controller now appears to be shared and when i try to demote the W2K server i get a error stating:- 'The operaton failed because ;failed finding a suitable domain controller for the domain' 'The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted' Can any1 suggest where we go from here? any help or advice is appriciated Dave

I'm assuming the 2000 Server is a DC (ie: domain controller) and you are in fact running an AD integrated domain. If my assumptions aren't correct, let me know. So, you have a running domain on one DC and you decided to bring a 2003 server into the domain and promote it to a DC. Once you've done that, you want to remove the 2000 server. Normally if you were going with a newer server with 2000 on it, I'd be 100% all you would have to do is put a copy of the GC on the new server and transfer all the FSMO roles to it as well as DNS (if DNS is presently running on the 2000 DC). However, with 2003, I'm not absolutely sure that would work properly, but I believe it should. Just to be sure, do some research/reading before moving everything. What I do suggest is this. Leave the 2000 server running. Transfer as much of the load off of it as you safely can (ie: FSMO roles, GC, applications etc) to the new server but leave the 2000 DC running DNS and taking care of user authentication. This gives you redundancy and saves you having to figure out how to get everything moved across to the 2003 server without making a mess. With the 2000 server running under minimal load the fact that it's older shouldn't make a difference in it's performance (ie: slow your domain or logins down).

Thanx for the responce, you have presumed correctly. from what we can tell, this would be simpler if both servers were on w2k as this supports Backup DC where as 2003 server doesnt. We really dont want to leave the old DC on the the network as it is very old and desperately in need of full replacement. If we find a resolution then ill post it up on here Dave