Upgrading Win Nt 4.0 PDC to Windows 2000 PDC

benjz · April 2005

hi Everybody!

i believed everyone here has a strong background in this matter, just want to ask some ideas with regards to upgrading.

currently we have a Primary Domain Controller running in WIn NT4.0 and a PDC also running in NT.

We're planning to upgrade/change our NT pdc with win2000 server(new computer).

Anypne can give helful informations or instruction doing this?
thanks in advance!

benjz

keatron · April 2005

I don't fully understand your question. Do you have one DC or two? Your questions makes it sound like you have two. PDC is the acronym for Primary Domain Controller.

jmc724 · April 2005

It can be done 2 ways, one is what m$ recommends, the other is what I normally do to elimate registry errors or what I call a clean install.

1. upgrade your current pdc to win2k or server 2003. promote to win2k or server 2003, then upgrade remaining nt servers.

or

1. take your current bdc offline(unplug cable from network)
2. get a new server, new hardware, install nt4 and make a bdc
3. install sp6a on bdc
4. make the new bdc a pdc and old pdc a bdc (swap roles) in server manager
5. take your bdc (which was your pdc offline)
6. upgrade new pdc to win2k or server 2003
7. promote to domain controller (make sure you use fqdn for server i.e ntserver.test.com or win2k.test.com
8. add new servers as needed with new hardware.

You now have a fully working DC with new hardware and new registy.

That way you dont have to migrate users and computers accounts bla bla bla...

Done!!! works like a charm. Exam 222.

Upgrading Win Nt 4.0 PDC to Windows 2000 PDC

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