Can't change domain name on a server because DC is not avail

[blin]

Our DC died. We want to install a new domain in a member server, but Computer name page is grayed out and can’t change the old domain to the workgroup. If we try to change the computer, we get "The following error occurred attempting to change the computer name to "server1": (the domain "SERVER" was joined under the old computer name "server2"). Logon local admin or login safe mode don’t help. I assume the old domain policy apply to the server. Is there a way to clear the domain group policy without connecting to the domain? Or any other ideas?

[blin]

other than 'why don't you do the right thing and recover the DC':

Start the machine normally but logon using the local admin account.

that 'domain vs workgroup' is greyed out makes me think this machine _may_ be an additional DC in the original AD. Is it? If so, assume the FSMO roles and DCPromo it down to destroy the AD.

I WILL STATE however that you are attacking this problem ass-backward.

[blin]

if it is a DC it has dsa.msc available (and pointing locally).

Also, if you run dcpromo.exe it will behave differently moving in vs out of the role. (DO NOT complete the process, cancel, until you decide what you wish to do)