How to upgrade NT 4.0 BDC to Windows 2000 in new domain? 1

[GordonLeeds]

We have an NT 4.0 BDC in one domain, and two Windows 2000 Servers in a new domain. The two domains have a co-trusted relationship. I want to upgrade the BDC to Win2k, moving it into the new domain. If anyone can tell me, step by step, how to accomplish this, I'll be very grateful!

Regards,
Gordon

 

[JBruyet]

I'm very interested in this too since I have a couple of NT machines on my network and I'm installing new Win2k servers. Another question is would we be better off to do clean installs of Win2k rather than upgrading an existing NT server? Are there any differencs in upgrading an NT PDC to Win2k?

Thanks,

Joe Brouillette

 

[GlenJohnson]

Go look at thread 96-27007 Adding a member server. I think this is right up your alley. Good luck. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
gjohn76351@msn.com
"It is twice the pleasure to deceive the deceiver."
Jean de La Fontaine (1621-95); French poet.

 

[JBruyet]

How do I find thread #96-27007? I can't seem to find a way to search for threads.

Thanks,

Joe Brouillette

 

[GlenJohnson]

Go to the windows 2000 server site and look about 4 threads up. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
gjohn76351@msn.com
"It is twice the pleasure to deceive the deceiver."
Jean de La Fontaine (1621-95); French poet.

 

[JBruyet]

got it!

Thanks!

Joe Brouillette

 

[GordonLeeds]

Thanks from me, as well. But I'm not sure the other thread really addresses my question, which centers on how to CHANGE an NT server in Domain1, before or during upgrade to Win2k, to an existing Win2k domain, Domain2000, which already has a primary controller with AD. I've created a machine account for the server in Domain2000, but I can't seem to convince the NT server to switch alliegance... Can anyone offer further guidance?

TIA
Gordon

 

[brontosaurus]

How far are you getting? Did you remove the NT machine from it's old domain first?

 

[GordonLeeds]

Dear Brontosaurus,

Thank you for asking - the answer is nowhere, yet! The MS knowledge base isn't helping me any. Your question points out to me that I have no idea what I'm doing - I've been assuming there was a way to simply move the server to a new domain, but evidently it's a two-step process. Can you please tell me how to remove the NT server from Domain1, freeing it up to upgrade to Win2k and add it to Domain2000?

Thank you very much!!
Gordon

 

[GlenJohnson]

dcpromo from dos, right bronto? Make it a stand alone server, then dcpromo again, and join the domain. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
gjohn76351@msn.com
"I grow old learning something new everyday".
Solon (640-558 BC); Greek legislator.

 

[brontosaurus]

OK, I'm assuming that you have a working PDC on that NT domain so you don't lose any info when removing the BDC. If that's the case, and there's account info on the NT domain that you still need, I'd like to suggest that you bring up a second BDC, which you can install on a plain old desktop with decent power, to back up the PDC in case it dies. Also, be advised that you'll not be moving any account info from the NT domain to the 2K domain in this manner. That said, you need to remove the BDC from the domain first. So, in your network properties, change the BDC from a domain to a workgroup, name it whatever you like. If you want to rename the BDC, now would be a good time to do it as well. After it's removed/renamed, it's time for a reboot. When it comes back up, check your NIC properties and make sure that it's pointing to the same DNS and WINS servers that your 2K DC's point to. If not, change them, and reboot. Once that's done, do an in-place upgrade to 2K. After the upgrade completes, right click My Computer and choose Properties. Go to the Network Identification tab and click Properties. Change the workgroup membership to the 2k domain. If I left anything out, please forgive me, as my eyes start to glaze over when I stare at the screen this much , but that's the general idea...

 

[NOnoy]

Once you have joined the Win2K domain, run DCPROMO from i386 directory and that will make it a Domain Controller.

 

[brontosaurus]

Right NOnoy, thanks for the add. Hey Glen, see what I mean by my eyes glazing over, I didn't even see your post! Anyway, you're right on for a 2k box, but I believe Mr. Leeds is still dealing with an NT server. At least I hope so, or I've gone blind for nuthin' !

 

[GlenJohnson]

Was I off base. I thought you had already gotten to w2k, not still in nt mode. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
gjohn76351@msn.com
"I grow old learning something new everyday".
Solon (640-558 BC); Greek legislator.

 

[GordonLeeds]

Brontosaurus & NOnoy,

Awesome, thanks to both of you for providing me with a clear and thorough road-map!!! I do in fact have an additional BDC on the NT domain, so I'll be able to jump right in and begin the process. If I hit any potholes along the way, I'll be sure to let you know!

With great appreciation,
Gordon

 

[GordonLeeds]

Ok, I've hit that pothole Brontosaurus mentionned... Yes, I know it's been a couple of weeks, but my task list is (can anyone relate?) huge and crisis-driven...

My problem now is that I can't switch the BDC from its domain membership to our workgroup, which is called (imaginatively) WORKGROUP. Your advice, and every single Microsoft Knowledge Base article I can find on the subject, all suggests that I should be able to go to the Network properties, Identification tab, hit the Change button, and select Workgroup instead of Domain, and type in WORKGROUP. But somehow in my version/installation of NT 4.0 (SP 6a) does NOT offer this choice! All I get when I click Change is the dialog box for Computer Name and Domain Name, and if I put WORKGROUP in place of the domain I'm told (of course) that no domain controller can be found for that domain.

Is this a WinNT setup or configuration issue? Do I need to make any changes in the Services or Protocols (which are TCP/IP and NetBEUI)? Do I need to change any TCP/IP settings? They're pointed, just as you advise, to the Wins and DNS server that is already part of the new Win2k group I eventually want to move the BDC into. I do have a static IP for the BDC.

Hoping you can help me some more!

TIA,
Gordon

 

[GordonLeeds]

Of course, as soon as I posted the above, I started finding clues... Seems only a Member Server offers the choice of joining to a workgroup instead of a domain! So now my question is, how do I demote an NT4.0 BDC to become a Member Server instead?
Thanks!
Gordon

 

[brontosaurus]

Sorry Gordon, you're right. You can't demote a BDC, I shouldn't have used that terminology (just so used to 2K now...) You have to remove it's machine account from the domain, and then re-install NT server on it to make it a plain-old member...

 

[GordonLeeds]

Thanks, Brontosaurus - last night I did finally find an MS article that says exactly that: "Cannot Demote a Backup Domain Controller to Member Server". The workaround is a reinstall. Why this article was SO hard to search for I dunno - I found it using Google, by way of a cross-reference in a Japanese language version of the Knowledge Base! Go figure...

So, my next question is - any reason NOT to skip the re-install and just do a full Win2k re-format/install and add it to the Win2k domain along the way? I'm doing a full data backup right now.

Thanks once again!
Gordon

 

[brontosaurus]

By all means, if you have the backup BDC up and running with all your info, wipe this one and start with a fresh 2K load.