vega55

Question... I have two PCs... One is acting as the PDC on a small Windows XP workgroup. I'm looking to replace it with the new machine. My predicament is that all the data (i.e. system files, folders, subfolders, internet settings, etc.) is on the hard drive of the old system. I need to merge all the data from the old system to the new system, and configure it to act as my new PDC.
Options I've considered:
1) could pull both hard drives (both 80Gbz), and use a hard drive duplicator to image the old disk to the new one, and just boot from a recovery mode to install the device drivers for all the new hardware. Change IP accordingly, add new machine to the workgroup..
2) could add the new machine to the workgroup as a client workstation, and simply copy the data across the network (this would probably take me all night).
3) third option is the option I'd like to go with, but need some assistance.
could just install the harddrive from the older machine into the new server, and use dual hard drives. set the old drive as the primary, so i can boot from it etc. I'm just unsure of how to go about this exactly. would the same OS have to be installed to both drives prior to doing something like this? Shall I partition/ format the new drive beforehand?

what do you ya'll think? what would be the most effective way to handle merging old data to a new server? looking for the most effective way to do this with the least amount of downtime.

please help! thx

vega55

oh yeah, both disks currently have XP installed. is this even a wise decision for a server OS or would it behoove me to install Server 2003?

heatwave

A PDC is a primary domain controller and you say you have a workgroup. These are two different things. So I am not sure what your asking.

blackhawk

Maybe he is talking about a file server? That is the best guess I can make as he mentions all of the data files already being on the old server. If that is the case it shouldn't be to big of a deal to transfer everything over.

vega55

i was referring to a file server. Sorry... PWC (Primary workgroup controller)

heatwave

To clear up some things here, windows XP is not a server OS it is a workstation OS it can not be a PDC, a PDC is primary domain controller and is a term for NT4 for the master server with the domain database (the read and write copy, a BDC has just a read copy for backup and authentication), In 2000 and 2003 running active directory you have just DC's or domain controllers (no such thing as PDC or BDC in active directory). also no such thing as a "primary workgroup controller". basicly you have a workstation using filesharing. To move the old hard drive over to the new box and have it detect all the new hardware do this...

on the old box create a directory right under C:\ called sysprep (c:\sysprep), put the windows cd in and go to support\tools directory on the CD and extract sysprep.exe and setupcl.exe from deploy.cab to the sysprep directory. open a cammand prompt and type..

sysprep -quiet -reseal -pnp -mini

it will then shut down the box, move the hardrive to the new computer and boot up it will redetect all hardware and have you resubmit your XP key (can use your new key if same version and/or rename the PC) when done with the mini installer it will boot and all your stuff will be there. (this is the correct way for cloning PCs by the way so it detects new hardware and creates new SIDs).

Make backups First!! (in which case I would just copy the stuff to the new computer unless you want the programs that are installed to be ready at boot)

blackhawk

Unless you do not have a hard disk big enough on one of the workstations:

1) Copy the data to one of the workstations
2) Setup the new server
3) Copy the data back to the new server.

vega55

geez, i was absolutely being sarcastic with the primary workgroup controller remark. i know there's no such thing... all this stuff you recommend, is however, Way above my head juniper. sounds good though... i'll do some research though, and see if i can get a little more information on what you're recommending. i like this idea. if it works, it will minimize downtime quite a bit.

heatwave

not sure what syntax explicitley, basicly after you create the sysprep directory on the c: drive of the old PC put in the XP cd and go to support\tools directory and double click on deploy.cab (you should now see everything in the cabnet file) then double click on sysprep.exe and setupcl.exe it will prompt to extract the extract them to the c:sysprep directory. open a command prompt and cd sysprep, then type sysprep -quiet -reseal -pnp -mini

-quiet = confirmation boxes should be shown
-reseal = strip the SIDs after factory.exe is ran
-pnp = do a fulldetection of plug and play devices at bootup
-mini = run the mini installer so you can change the keys and computer name

after this is ran and it shuts down is when you would image the drive or move the drive to new hardware. when it boots (or any images that boot) it will do a mini installation at first and then have all your stuff there that was installed prior in your configuration. This is the correct way to move to new hardware or GHOST/Zenworks/Altiris/Image cast a box to other boxes. To be more specific this is how when you by a dell or compaq and you have to put in a key at the beginning yet when it boots it has all the software installed is done.

blackhawk

In computing terms mean things, nomenclature is important when describing a problem. Since no one can know what you "mean" it can make it difficult to help.

I am unsure if you can use the same key if you move the drive. I would assume XP would require a new key but someone may know a trick that would work. The problem may arise when booted up if XP thinks it is a new install and asks you to "activate" it.
Since the key has been used you may run into issues. You could simply purchase another copy and enter the new key and you would have no problems.

If you are simply wanting to move data. Now is the time to install a copy of 2003 server. As has already been said, set up the new server and copy the data over the network or through a crossover cable.