Moving NT Server from No Domain to PDC 1

[unit512]

I need to upgrade my NT server.<br>
Currently there is no PDC.<br>
<br>
1. I assume I need to re-install windows NT, and I cannot ADD a PDC to an existing server.<br>
Am I correct?<br>
<br>
2. Should I anticipate losing all my current NT settings? i.e. profiles, login scripts, drive shares etc.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Glenn

 

[nicksheppard]

Presumably if you have a server but no domain controller, then it is configured as a stand-alone (member server) as part of a workgroup. A member server doesn't have the accounts database needed for the domain structure and the only way to turn a member server into a domain controller is to re-install the operating system, choosing domain controller when you do so.<br>
<br>
However you can install two copies of NT server onto the same machine. Simply start the current server and then use an NT server CD to install into a NEW directory (i.e. not c:\winnt) When your computer boots up you will have four entries on the screen and you can choose to boot the original (member server) or the new (domain controller) set-up.<br>
<br>
Doing this would mean all the data would be intact (your login scripts and profiles are simply files on the hard disk). You would then need to create all your user and group accounts and (the difficult bit) re-reference all scripts and profiles.<br>
<br>
Finally if you're not sure of what you're doing make sure you back up your server first so you can recover if you need to.

 

[unit512]

Thanks for the input.<br>
I will consider it.<br>
<br>
However, in this particular case, I am<br>
more concerned about losing installed NT<br>
software such as backup exec and ras.<br>
I assume that would be affected as well.<br>
<br>
Because I am moving data around I will need<br>
to re do the shares anyway. The users<br>
I expected to re create.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Glenn