SUMMARY
If the Primary Domain Controller is unavailable, the following error
message occurs when you start Server Manager from a Backup Domain
Controller (BDC):
Cannot find the Primary DC for <domain name>. You may administer this
domain, but certain domain-wide operations will be disabled.
Typically, you would choose OK and then by default the Server Manager would
display those computers that are members of the domain, plus those
computers that are listed by the Computer Browser service as active in the
domain.
However, if Show Domain Members Only is selected in the Server Manager View
menu, the computers listed by the Computer Browser service are filtered out
and only the computers that are members of the domain are listed. If the
Primary Domain Controller for the domain is unavailable, the BDC is unable
to get the list of domain members and no computers are listed in the Server
Manager window.
To see a list of computers in the domain, clear the Show Domain Members
Only selection.