I have Windows server 2003 Enterprise and I created a Domain and everything was goin fine on my network. I was able to login with the users i created and security was working fine. The next day I went to login to my server remotely and I get a error "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted." I have tried my local admin user name and password and it does not wrk either! What options do I have?

Hi, This error usually occurs as the result of a problem with the DNS configuration of a member server or client system. The following assumes that the server that you are referring to is also a DC, Your main option is to log on to the server locally in the directory services restore mode (using the password that you entered when you ran dcpromo). The procedure follows starting in safe mode, except that when you go to choose safe mode, choose directory services restore mode instead, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc776568%28WS.10%29.aspx I would then verify that the DNS settings for the server point to the DC that is running the DNS server role (or 127.0.0.1 if the DC that you set up is also the DNS server). then try restarting and logging in to the server again. If this is already the case with the DNS settings, get back to the forum and we can give you other possibilities. -- Mike Burr

Hello ZOSOPAGE, This is a known issue. To resolve this issue, please check the following KB's methods. "The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted" error message in Windows Server 2003 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/834859 Brent Hu, TechNet Subscriber Support in forum If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

I did a hard shut down on the server, I selected directory services restore mode. I was able to login with my password. I verified DNS was setup correctly. When I try to access Active directory Users and Computers it has a red X through it and I could no see any of my users. I decided I would just remove AD, So I’m able to get into the server through directory services restore mode or safe mode but once I reboot and try normal mode I get the same issue. Can someone tell me how to completely remove AD and start fresh while I’m in Safe mode or services restore mode? I listed the steps I went through but I get stuck when I try have to reinstall AD, Once it asks me to reboot I cannot get back into the server unless I go in through safe mode. Why can I login through safe mode but the same user name and password will not work in normal mode? Thanks everybody I really appreciate it! Choose Directory Services Restore Mode, press ENTER, and then press ENTER again to continue restarting. Modify the ProductType entry in the registry. To do this, follow these steps: Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK. Locate the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions In the right-pane, double-click ProductType. Type ServerNT in the Value data box, and then click OK. Note If this value is not set correctly or is misspelled, you may receive the following error message: System Process - License Violation: The system has detected tampering with your registered product type. This is a violation of your software license. Tampering with product type is not permitted. Quit Registry Editor. Restart the computer. Log on with the administrator account and password that is used for Directory Service Repair mode. The computer will behave as a member server. However, there are still some remaining files and registry entries on the computer that are associated with the domain controller. Start Registry Editor and locate the following registry entry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters If there is an entry for Src Root Domain Srv, right-click the value and then click Delete. This value must be deleted so that the domain controller sees itself as the only domain controller in the domain after promotion. Important The above step is critical. Without it the re-promotion into the temporary AD forest will not complete and you will not be able to log on to the domain controller. Remove the remaining files and registry entries. To do this, follow these steps: Start the Active Directory Installation Wizard. Install Active Directory to make the computer a domain controller for a new, temporary domain, such as "psstemp.deleteme." Note Make sure that you make the computer a domain controller in a different forest. After you install Active Directory, start the Active Directory Installation Wizard again, and then remove Active Directory from the domain controller. After you remove Active Directory from a domain controller, remove metadata that is left in the domain. For more information about how to remove this metadata, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 216498 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/216498/ ) How to remove data in Active Directory after an unsuccessful domain controller demotion

Hello ZOSOPAGE, >When I try to access Active directory Users and Computers it has a red X through it and I could no see any of my users. Active Directory Users and Computers Icon Changes Based on Logged-On User http://support.microsoft.com/kb/227512 >How to completely remove AD and start fresh while I’m in Safe mode or services restore mode? Clean up server metadata http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc736378(WS.10).aspx Clean up server metadata using the command line http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc816907(WS.10).aspx#bkmk_commandline However, I suggest you reinstall server after transferring or seizing FSMO Roles to another domain controller if possible. Using Ntdsutil.exe to transfer or seize FSMO roles to a domain controller http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255504 Brent Hu, TechNet Subscriber Support in forum If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.