Hello:
I hope this message finds everyone well.
I need help with the following rather strange scenario:
1. A client had domain running on a Windows Server 2003 R2 server with a domain named as "Domain1".
2. They were told they needed a new server and the IT company they hired created a totally new domain and replaced the server with a Windows Server 2012 server and named the new domain "Domain2".
3. They set the old server aside.
4. I came along and they have asked if I can now join the old server to the new domain as just a file server.
I tried to demote the old server via dcpromo, but it failed because:
"The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted."
The old server is not connected to a domain except itself at this point. It is just sitting on a desk like a stand-alone PC.
I need to basically strip the old server down as far as server roles are concerned, remove its association with the old domain, rename it, and then join it to the new domain.
So, I need to know:
1. Can a file server running on Windows Server 2003 R2 join a domain running on Windows Server 2013?
2. How can this be accomplished?
Any guidance that anyone can provide would be very much appreciated as I have not been able to find any information on a similar scenario.
Thank you in advance,
Greg