UPromote Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does UPromote run on Windows Server 2000, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Server 2008?

Q: Can I use UPromote to demote a Windows NT 4.0 BDC from an Active Directory domain?

Q: Shortly after I promoted/demoted my server, I ran Server Manager (SRVMGR.EXE) on another computer. It reports that my server has not changed. Is something wrong?

Q: When I run UPromote to create a Backup Domain Controller (BDC), the program asks for permission to change the security identifier (SID) of my computer. What is a Security Identifier?

Q: When UPromote changes the SID, it takes several minutes. What is it doing?

Q: I heard I can move a BDC by using a SID-changing tool such as newsid or Symantec Ghost. Will this work?

Q: Why does UPromote ask to change the SID when it converts a DC back to a standalone machine?

Q: I promoted a computer that was not originally a member of the domain. Will any applications be affected?

Q: Can I use UPromote to move a BDC from one domain to another?

Q: What happened to my old user accounts? Can I move user accounts between domains?

Q: I want to demote a BDC and rejoin it back to the same domain as a member server. Are there any special steps required?

Q: I re-added my domain groups to the share-level permissions list for my shared folders and shared printers. But my users report that they are still denied access. What is wrong?

Q: I have hundreds of file shares. Is there any way that I can preserve the share-level permissions so I don't have to re-create them?

Q: I demoted my BDC to a standalone server. However SRVMGR.EXE reports that it is still a BDC. This prevents me from rejoining the domain as a member server. What is wrong?

Q: My BDC lost contact with the PDC. How can I demote the BDC without the PDC?

Q: I used UPromote to demote my computer to a standalone server. What happened to my global groups?

Q: I used UPromote to demote my BDC to a standalone server and then rejoined it to the domain as a member server. I deleted all of the redundant local users with USRMGR.EXE. Later I tried to delete a redundant group. USRMGR.EXE refused, claiming that I needed to first remove all the members from the group. But I don't see any members. How can I delete the group?

Q: Why does UPromote back up the registry?

Q: I created a BDC. I later changed my mind and demoted my computer back to a standalone server. What happened to my old user accounts?

Q: I promoted a standalone server to a BDC. After I rebooted, some of my services no longer start. What happened?

Q: I promoted a standalone server to a BDC. After I rebooted, Internet Information Server (IIS) can no longer access the IUSR_<machine> account. And it can no longer use the IWAM_<machine> account to run a web site in a separate process. What happened?

Q: Can I use UPromote with NT Service Pack 3 or earlier?

Q: When I try to downgrade my PDC, UPromote says that I must remove my Trust Relationships first. Why is that?

Q: Is UPromote compatible with Novell Directory Services (NDS)?

Q: Is UPromote compatible with Windows NT Terminal Server?

Q: Is UPromote compatible with the Compaq SMART RAID disk array controller?

Q: Is UPromote compatible with Windows NT Small Business Server?