Member Server Role Cannot Be Changed to Domain Controller

ID: Q193219

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SUMMARY

It is important to plan your domain carefully. You cannot change a computer's role from member server to domain controller without reinstalling Windows NT Server.

What Is the Difference Between a Domain Controller (DC) and a Server?

A member server

Does not get a copy of the domain account database, but does have access to it if it is a member of the domain.

Maintains its own local user account database.

Does not process domain logons.

Has the same built-in user groups as a Windows NT Workstation (including Power Users).

Can be configured as a member of a domain or workgroup.

MORE INFORMATION

It is sometimes necessary to make a determination on the role of a server in the domain. Use one of these methods to determine the computer's role.

Method 1

Click Start and then click Programs.

Click Command Prompt.

At the command prompt, type "net accounts" (without quotation marks). Press ENTER.

You will see a list of information and the last line of information will say computer role.

Sample of the output:


   c:\>NET ACCOUNTS
   Force user logoff how long after time expires?:       Never
   Minimum password age (days):                          0
   Maximum password age (days):                          42
   Minimum password length:                              0
   Length of password history maintained:                None
   Lockout threshold:                                    Never
   Lockout duration (minutes):                           30
   Lockout observation window (minutes):                 30
   Computer role:                                        PRIMARY
   The command completed successfully.

Method 2

Right-click Network Neighborhood.

Click Properties.

Click the Identification tab

Click Change.

If you have the ability to change the computer to a workgroup, the server is a member server; this will not be an option if the server is a domain controller.

Method 3

Click Start, click Programs, and then select Administrative Tools.

Click Server Manager.

Check the role of the computer in Server Manager.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q126436 Q&A: The Role of a Windows NT Server in a Domain

Additional query words: Member Server Role upgrade promote

Keywords :
Version : WinNT:4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo