demote advice please

[DaveTappenden]

I am installing a new PDC and changing the domain name at the same time. If I demote the current PDC is it then free to join the new domain as a plain server?

 

[Drakujii]

Yes it is, after the demote it's like any other server that never was a DC, but if it's the last DC in your Domain, you will loose the users you have created in that Domain.

 

[chromozone]

Gday
You will have to install the New machine as a BDC then after you bring it up to a Syncronize(server Manger) on the old PDC, this will bring the SAM (user data base) accross.

Then you can shut down the old PDC & promote the new BDC to
a PDC confused yet

You can then if U like bring the old PDC up & demote it to
a BDC which is worth having. You CAN NOT make it a straight
server as this choice is only available at install.

BUT .... there is a 3rd party prog called UPromote which
claims to do this without reinstall. Check the supported
NT versions as Terminal Server edition is not covered.
Hope this helps from downunder