Going back to NT4 from MixedMode? 1

[thetango]

Well the upgrade from NT4 to Server2003 is NOT going well.

I took an old PC, made to a domain controller, unhooked the orginal PDC, hooked up the temp DC, upgraded it to server2003.

Since I have the orginal DC in storage - Can I unhook the 2003 server, hook up the old DC and have the old NT4 domain back?

Any order of pitfalls I should know about first?

Thanks

 

[NortonES2]

Will probably work, after removing the original PDC did you promote your new BDC to become a PDC before upgrading?

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If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!

 

[thetango]

If memory serves me, I promoted the old BDC to PDC, turned on the temp DC and gave it a time to settle in - then promoted it to PDC (I think I promoted it to PDC first) and did the upgrade to the temp DC.

 

[markdmac]

Yes, that is why you did what you did and took the PDC offline.

define what is not going well and perhaps we can assist so you don't roll backwards.

Take a look here for some great info on upgrading from NT4 to Windows 2003. Next version of this doc is due out soon. (I wrote them )

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...4B-4EBA-4DAE-90F1-3CBD858FBFC0&displaylang=en

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[thetango]

The new hardware is so old there is no drivers for NT4, this is why I did the upgrade on the old hardware. If I got the old hardware up and running I was going to join the new hardware to the domain and remove the old stuff.

Since the Wins is not working since the upgrade I need to go back to the old setup so users can access some files on another NT4 system while I regroup.

I ran into DNS problems on the old hardware setup and decided to set to new hardware up as a domain (on an isolated hub) called loraine.eng (the name I finally want), shut down the orginal domain (loraine) unplug the old, plug in the new and just add users (not that many) to the new domain.

To add to the mix the new PDC tell me a service is not starting when it boots but no error show up in event viewer.

At this point going back to the old system seems to be the best and quickest path.

So do I promote the existing BDC (running NT4) to PDC - then unplug the 2003 - then plug in the old box (running NT4) - then promote it to PDC?

 

[markdmac]

So do I promote the existing BDC (running NT4) to PDC - then unplug the 2003 - then plug in the old box (running NT4) - then promote it to PDC?

Yes.

As for the error that a service failed to start, this CAN happen on a fairly normal basis due to the timing of when some services start. If a service tries to start before a dependancy has finished it will toss that error, then it will end up starting anyway.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[thetango]

Mark,

Guess I can be a bit strange but stuff like that can drive me crazy - Did a complete new install of the new PDC & BDC. Error went away.

I now have the new domain running (in isolation) on a free standing hub. I still have a few other question about moving it to a live replacement mode and will start a new thread with those.

THANKS for the replys and help.

 

[thetango]

One last question - So when I try to "Promote the existing BDC (running NT4) to PDC" - it won't let me.

So I went to the TemPDC (running AD) it sak me if this is the last DC in the domain. I chose NO. It won't remove AD.

Do I choose that it IS the last controller (still have the BDC running NT4). Will this promote the existing BDC to the PDC and allow me to plug in the old server?

 

[markdmac]

You can just remove that server from the domain physically and then reformat it since it is the only server with AD. On the NT4 machines delete any machine accoutns you see for it in Server Manager.

For the record, yes you would choose yes it is the last DC. Or if it STILL won't let you remove AD you would use the DCPROMO/ FORCEDREMOVAL command.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[thetango]

Mark,

I removed the machine - now have and old NT4 BDC machine and 2 2003 controllers running. But there is a problem with the Global Catalog. I posted a thread in the "2003 Server Forum" about this.

Thanks for your replies - they were helpful. This learn as you go is rough. I'm about ready to dump everything and start from scratch (no NT4) - recreate all users, printers, ect under 2003.

Gary

 

[markdmac]

If you are going to start from scratch you can use ADMT to migrate your user and computer accounts to the new domain. You will get a nice clean install with less work.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark