primary domain controller

type "dcpromo" in the run box ... 2003 no longer has pdc's its has flexiable single masters (active directory)

 

This issue will not be solved by running DCPROMO on the SBS server. The problem is all the workstations are still in the old Domain. The users are logging into users from the old domain. Problem will be solved by logging the workstations into the new domain!!!!

 

Yeah dcpromo did not work.  When I tried that, the only option was to demote the server.  Thats not what I want to do. 

 Is the domain case sensitive?  The original domain was 'JFI'  ...Under 'My Computer', 'Properties', Its now 'jfi.local'  Im thinking this is the problem, but I cant change it...help.  

I also copied the old hard drive that was the PDC, into the new server.   In the profiles folder, it only shows local profiles.  How does NT save users that were in the PDC?  Is it a data file?  Is there a way I can import the old user settings into Windows 2003 server?

Thanks for all your help...Im new to the Network game

 

 

DOMAIN Names are not case sensitive. Several questions to get things straight:

1. The new PDC, is it using the same domain name as the old PDC?

Answers to your questions:

Profiles are not stored on the old server unless you are using roaming profiles, ie the desktop icons etc.. are all stored on the workstation.

Steps to take:

1. Take workstations out of the old domain, ie put them into a workgroup called workgroup.

2. Put workstations into the new DOMAIN. Users will then be able to log onto their workstations using the new users you created on the new PDC.

3. On each workstation go into Document and Settings folders, and copy the profiles from the old Domain Users to the new Domain users. You may still need to reinstall certain applications.

Etienne

 

Thanks for the info.  Well the old PDC was Win NT, and in the DOMAIN 'JFI'.  The new "PDC" is in 'jfi'  However, anywhere I see 'jfi', (ex: My Computer/Properties/Name) it is associated with '.local'  If I look on our other server (Win 2000), it is just 'JFI'  Im thinking of trying to add users to our Win 2K server, and see what happens.

When I tried added users in Active Directory, on the Win 2003, I got 'JFI' DOMAIN unavailable. 

I dont believe the profiles were roaming.  But Im not 100% sure, since I have only been at this company for 3 weeks. 

If the old server was WINNT, I doubt there were roaming profiles as well.

JIFI is the netbios name of the domain. jifi.local is the full dns name of the domain!!!

When you mean add users in Active Directory, do you mean create users? Or do you mean adding their computers into the domain. Can you be a bit more specific.

You mentioned your SBS sever, now you also mention a W2K server? Are they the same or different servers. And does this W2K server function as a DC or not?

Before proceeding with anything, I need to make sure I understand where everything is!!!

Etienne

 

The company has three servers.  One is running Linux, which just holds our main software, for accounting/shipping/etc.  Our 2nd server is running W2k, which holds all our pictures (not a DC), and our third was the PDC, running on NT.  When we moved the NT crashed.  We replaced it with Win SBS 2003.

I tried created new users in the Active Directory to test it out.

Thanks

Note that you can have more than one DC in a Domain where you have SBS running. The other DC will act as peer DCs. In a W2K or W2K3 domain, no one particular DC is the PDC, although FSMO roles govern which one emulates a PDC. All DC are treated as equals.

Okay that is a better picture. Let's not worry about the Linux box and that second W2K server for now. Although in the log run you should make the second w2k server a second DC in the new domain.

Yes, creating new users is required but it is only half the battle.

Do you know how to take computers out of the old domain and add them to the new domain? That is the next step you must do. This includes the Second W2K server, as I would think it is also part of the old domain, it too along with the workstations must be added to the new domain.

Etienne

 

 

SBS 2003 cannot run in the same domain as the old NT4 domain. I know this is confusing as you used the same domain name on the new SBS 2003 server. But the domains are completely separate and different:

You must recreate the user accounts and you must recreate the computer accounts. The workstations still think the old DC is there. From the workstations perspective and from the users account perspective that old server is still out there.

1. Move the computers to a workgroup, ie get them out of the old domain. This tells the workstation to stop looking for the old NT4 Domain Controller.

2. Move the computers to the 'new' domain, this process recreates the computer accounts, and tells the workstations to look for the new domain controller.

 

I have done this before I have moved 25 computers from a old NT4 SBS domain to a new W2K SBS domain. I had to do exactly the same steps you are doing!!!! It is a lot of work, you are looking at 8-16 hours worth of work by the time you have touched every single worktations!!!!

 

Sorry if I confused you in my earlier posts.   I have the Win SBS in the same domain as the old one.  Why should it be changed?

 

Well if the workstations cant run on the old NT domain that would make sense.  and Yes, since they are the same domain name, it is a little confusing. 

When I re-create user accounts thats done in Active Directory, right?...and if I remember correctly, when you add new users the system asks if you want to add a computer account under that name

Im not at work today...so Im trying to remember if the workstations were in a workgroup already.

I have about the same amount of computers as you did.  I dont mind spending the time...I just want to understand how to do it.  What a task for my first few weeks on the job, and my first full-time I.T. position.

You have been most helpful.  If you want you can reply to m_rosen@yahoo.com

Marc