removing ad from mixed mode domain

[aaa]

I have inherited a system that has two domains. Domain A is a native mode
domain with two servers acting as DCs. Domain B is a mixed mode domain with
one Win2K server as the PDC and an NT server acting as BDC. What I want to
do is remove the Win2K server from Domain B and add it to Domain A. I would
like to demote the Win2K server in Domain B, rename it, and then add it to
Domain A as standalone server.

My question is this: If I use DCPROMO to remove AD, what effect does that
have on the NT server? Will it retain the user accounts, or will the
demotion of the Win2K DC destroy those accounts. I'm not concerned about
computer accounts on the NT domain, as all PCs (all running XP) have been
joined to Domain A. However, I have a couple of apps on the NT server that
must stay there for now, so users still need access to that server. I would
rather not have to recreate user accounts.

Thanks for your help.

 

[David Pharr [MSFT]]

You can disconnect the NT4 BDC from Domain B, promote it to become the PDC
and continue to run it separately as its own domain. You can then demote
the W2K DC to a standalone member server, rename it and join it to Domain
A. This is the same procedure we recommend when upgrading an NT4.0 domain
with a BDC to 2000 (taking a BDC offline to preserve the security
principals just in case the upgrade does not go smoothly).

David Pharr, (e-mail address removed)

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[aaa]

Thanks, David. That is exactly what I did, and it worked perfectly.

I was concerned that removing AD from the last Win2K server would damage the
domain info on the NT box. It was late when I was working on this, and the
thought to remove the NT box from the network just didn't occur to me at the
time.

Kelly