Doc Err: Promoting and Demoting Domain Controllers and Servers (128348)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
This article was previously published under Q128348
The section on page 482 of the Windows NT Server version 3.5 System Guide, titled "Promoting and Demoting Domain Controllers" contains the following three documentation errors:

  • Item 2 of the first subsection titled "To promote a backup domain controller to primary domain controller" states the following:

    From the Computer menu, choose Promote to Primary Domain Controller.

    This can take several minutes. When completed, the old primary domain controller automatically reverts to server status.

    This is incorrect. A domain controller does not revert to server status. When a backup domain controller (BDC) is promoted to a primary domain controller (PDC), the PDC is automatically demoted to BDC status.
  • Paragraph 5 states the following:

    However, if a server is promoted to primary domain controller while the existing one is unavailable (for example, if it is being repaired), and if the former primary domain controller later returns to service, you must demote it.

    This is incorrect. A server cannot be directly promoted to domain controller status. In order for a server to become a domain controller, you must reinstall Windows NT Server.
  • The second subsection is titled:

    To demote a former primary domain controller to server

    This is incorrect. In order to demote a former PDC to server, you must reinstall Windows NT Server.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/4/2003
Keywords:KB128348
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.