Replacing Domain Controller
We are replacing a customers SBS2003 with an SBS2011. Is there a process or trick to keep all of the users current settings, favorites, desktop items when unjoining current domain to new domain?
Client PCs are running Windows 7 Pro.
Client PCs are running Windows 7 Pro.
Michael Smolens
Just a little curious, is there a reason why you are using a new domain? It will make your migration much easier if you keep the same domain and just migrate to the new server.
ASKER
The old server died and we are setting up a replacement server from scratch. I can't join the new server to the old domain.
If you can at least get the old server running, you can then get the new server in the same domain, make it a DC and Windows will start the replication process so all user settings will be on the new server.
If you can't get the old server up and running, what I would do is probably create a new domain that has a different name than the last one and join the machines to that domain. You are going to have to manually copy over the users data to the new profiles. Unfortually the settings are not going to carry forward but atleast it will be setup right with no trace of the old setup.
I know it sounds like a lot of work (and it is) but I wouldn't want something to come back and bite me. This is the problem with SBS if you don't have another DC or atleast backups of SBS.
I know it sounds like a lot of work (and it is) but I wouldn't want something to come back and bite me. This is the problem with SBS if you don't have another DC or atleast backups of SBS.
ASKER
we have backups of the SBS2003 server but only restored the data.
old server is dead. new server is up and running, exchange is running, all 5 users have been created and all data restored.
only thing missing joining the desktops to the domain. I know with XP i would join the new domain and rename the user profile in documents and settings. not sure if the same will work with Windows 7.
The only other solution I can come up with is use Windows Easy Transfer. backup current profile, join new domain, then restore profile using Windows Easy Transfer.
I think this will work but was looking for an easier way, the XP way, to prevent wasting time backing up all profiles then restoring.
old server is dead. new server is up and running, exchange is running, all 5 users have been created and all data restored.
only thing missing joining the desktops to the domain. I know with XP i would join the new domain and rename the user profile in documents and settings. not sure if the same will work with Windows 7.
The only other solution I can come up with is use Windows Easy Transfer. backup current profile, join new domain, then restore profile using Windows Easy Transfer.
I think this will work but was looking for an easier way, the XP way, to prevent wasting time backing up all profiles then restoring.
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RobWill, does profwiz recognizes also old domain user profiles?
If not, then domain profile should be first copied to local user profile.
If not, then domain profile should be first copied to local user profile.
>>"RobWill, does profwiz recognizes also old domain user profiles?"
Yes. That is the primary advantage. The proper way to join a PC to an SBS 2008/2011 domain is using a web browser and http://connect however it will only recognize local, non-domain profiles. ProfWiz has the advantage of being able to access domain profiles, even if from a different domain. It basically keeps the same profile but changes all the necssary permissions and remove links to the old domain.
Yes. That is the primary advantage. The proper way to join a PC to an SBS 2008/2011 domain is using a web browser and http://connect however it will only recognize local, non-domain profiles. ProfWiz has the advantage of being able to access domain profiles, even if from a different domain. It basically keeps the same profile but changes all the necssary permissions and remove links to the old domain.
ASKER
So should I unjoin the current domain first before running profwiz?
Yes. You cannot join a domain if the PC is already domain joined.
Profwiz can be used for that as well, but I have not used it for that purpose.
As mentioned before, make sure you have a local admn account on the PC, as the domain admin account will no longer work after disjoining the domain.
Profwiz can be used for that as well, but I have not used it for that purpose.
As mentioned before, make sure you have a local admn account on the PC, as the domain admin account will no longer work after disjoining the domain.