Windows NT4 To 2000 Transfer

[dev3175]

I have this old NT4 Backoffice Server 4.5 and a brand new Windows 2000 Server. I want to transfer all domain controller information to the win2000 server but i can't figure out how.
Any ideas?

[BipolarBill]

I believe that you have to upgrade the old server to Win2K and then replicate.

[Midknyte]

sorry, but you can't upgrade an NT4 server with Backoffice to win2k.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/TechNet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/deploy/upgrdmigrate/w2ksrupg.asp

You can use the Active directory migration tool to transfer your NT4 domain info to the new server:
http://asia.cnet.com/itmanager/netadmin/0,39006400,39099882,00.htm

[dev3175]

I am at the process of transfering data with the migration tool. I named the active directory differently and set trust relationships between the domains but i can't transfer the data because it says i am not an administrator of the source domain. I tried to logon as administrator of the nt domain on the 2000 domain but it says that the local policy prevents me to logon interactively. What can i do about that?

[dev3175]

ok i got over that too. Now there is another problem. Is it easy to rename the active directory to the old name of the domain when i remove the old domain controller so i don't have to change the domain for every computer in it?
I will be doing the change some time soon when everybody is off to their homes so i can disconnect the two servers from the network and connect them together with a crossed cable.
The old server will be kept as a mail server for some time. I will demote it to stand-alone so it won't have anything to do with domain controlling. Did anyone do this before and have you met any difficulties?

[Midknyte]

unless they changed something in sp3, you cannot change the name of a domain on an active directory DC. you would have to demote then promote the server again (dcpromo), but you lose all previous active directory information.

[dev3175]

Then I will have to "Ghost" the nt4 server's disk to another and then rename the domain on the old one. I hope i don't have to rename the domain because that will mean a lot of extra work to be done on every single computer available on the network.

[dev3175]

Would it be a good idea to create a backup domain controller NT4 , promote it to primary , upgrade it to W2K Server Active Directory and then do the replication with the new one or would i lose any information ?