Restoring a server & AD Computer Account

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MitchR's picture

I have a server that I want to format & reinstall.  I have a good backup.
In this particular case, it's a Windows 2003 Standard, backed up with BE 12.5.

I'm using the process from the Admin Guide, pages 681-683.

Here's the catch - our server build process is RIS, and thus automated.  It joins the domain automatically.
This appears to cause problems when I restore the server.  After the reboot when I try to login, it says that it's not a member of the domain.  I can login with the server's local admin account, and everything looks normal.

I've tried using AD Users & Computers to select the server account and Right-Click, Reset Account.  It claims it succeeds, but it doesn't fix my problem.

I really don't want to hand-install the server - all of our drivers, install settings, and other corporate standards are in the build.  I'd end up with a lot of work for a non-standard build.

Any advice?

MitchR's picture

solution

Solution

A little trial & error, and I have an answer.  Noted here for the next person to have this question.

If you rebuilt the server & joined the domain before doing a system state restore with Backup Exec, you'll need to complete the following steps.

-Leave the AD machine account alone.
-Unjoin the domain
-Reboot
-Join the domain
-Reboot

After that, everything should be OK.