Migrating to Windows 2003 Server

[Treebeard]

I have a small lan consisting of 1 NT server/DC connecting 5 computers(3 XP Pro & 2 Win98SE ).

I bought another computer (Dell) that I plan to use as my server/DC. I want to throw the existing NT server machine away.

Normally when I've upgraded like this I installed the new computer as a Backup DC and then did the switch. It's my understanding that there is no such thing as a Backup DC in Windows 2003. Someone recommended that I install the new computer as a "member server" , but from what i read one cannot change a computer's role from member server to domain controller without reinstalling Windows NT Server, which I don't want to do.

http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q193/2/19.asp&NoWebContent=1

What would be the best way to accomplish what I want?

My first thought would be to install it as a dc but change the name of the domain. If I do this though, the XP machines will come up with a blank desktop and I'll have to reconfigure all of the XP machines.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[Michael]

When you say an NT server do you mean NT 4.0 or 2000?

-----Original Message-----
I have a small lan consisting of 1 NT server/DC

connecting 5 computers(3 XP Pro & 2 Win98SE ).

I bought another computer (Dell) that I plan to use as my

server/DC. I want to throw the existing NT server machine
away.

Normally when I've upgraded like this I installed the new

computer as a Backup DC and then did the switch. It's my
understanding that there is no such thing as a Backup DC
in Windows 2003. Someone recommended that I install the
new computer as a "member server" , but from what i read
one cannot change a computer's role from member server to
domain controller without reinstalling Windows NT Server,
which I don't want to do.

http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q193/2 /19.asp&NoWebContent=1

What would be the best way to accomplish what I want?

My first thought would be to install it as a dc but

change the name of the domain. If I do this though, the XP
machines will come up with a blank desktop and I'll have
to reconfigure all of the XP machines.

 

[Treebeard]

NT 4.0

When you say an NT server do you mean NT 4.0 or 2000?

connecting 5 computers(3 XP Pro & 2 Win98SE ).
server/DC. I want to throw the existing NT server machine
away.
computer as a Backup DC and then did the switch. It's my
understanding that there is no such thing as a Backup DC
in Windows 2003. Someone recommended that I install the
new computer as a "member server" , but from what i read
one cannot change a computer's role from member server to
domain controller without reinstalling Windows NT Server,
which I don't want to do.
change the name of the domain. If I do this though, the XP
machines will come up with a blank desktop and I'll have
to reconfigure all of the XP machines.