PDC dead because of old PDC

[Iafte]

We upgraded to a faster PDC a few months back. After removing the old server from the network, I put the new server up. (Only have one machine using AD and that's for one web app we have running.) Well, The other day, one of the people who supervise the bulk of our pc's on the floor needed to set up a temp computer while the normal one was down. He grabbed the old PDC and hooked it up without telling me. Now, my new PDC got bumped from the domain and will not fire up as a PDC. I have demoted the other PDC to a standalone server and want to get the new PDC back up and running without having to re-configure users/mailboxes.

Should the new PDC self promote once it see's the other one is no longer a PDC or do I have to suck it up and start from scratch?

Is there a command I can use to promote the PDC or at least get it to fire back up after a reboot?


Thanks for your time.

 

[aftertaf]

if you have a 2000 domain - active directory, then there is no longer the notion of PCD & BDC, each DC holds a writeable copy of the domain partition.

give us details of the changes you made when changing servers a few months ago, if it was a NT domain you migrated, or 2000 to begin with...

what network services are/were on the old & new server (dns etc...)?

in any case, you'll need to reboot the current server in directory restoration mode and use NTDSUTIL if active direcroty refuses to start.

Aftertaf

"Resolve is never stronger than the night before it was never weaker