NT-4 domain controller is dead.

I think you can use the same Domain Name (there will not be any name conflicts I can think of) but you will have to make your machines WORKGROUP and then join the new Domain even though it is the same name. That should work.

I think you will need to buy licenses (if you still can) for the 10 workstations to be part of the new 2003 domain.

.... Thinkpads_User

You may have difficulty to revert a workstation back to WORKGROUP because the domain controller in question is dead.

You might also try just joining the new domain using the new domain credentials  (same spot in Advanced System Properties, Computer Name tab).

... Thinkpads_User

I understand this is like 10 hosts + 15 accounts but still better to fix the DC.

How hard is to bring that old DC back? What got fried in it?

Do you have a backup or BDC?

You should be able to find parts to fix this on ebay or you can borrow the same from a server of the same age for few hours.

Then you should be able to get a working DC. Things would be easier from there.

The NT server is an old computer (not a server class)  512Mb of RAM that was running Windows-NT 4 server, I cannot use it, I have to buy, which I allready have a new hp ML370 server and planing to install 2003 server Standard edition, don't have a BDC eitherand I don't want to have more NT servers one thing is that Windows 7 or 8 ws cannot log to NT, I want NT out. So far I have all my WS changed to a Workgroup, log my users to the local machines (I have to create accounts on the local machines for them to be able to do this) and remap all network drives so they can do some work, emails, file servers and application servers are now up and running, don't know, if later I am going to have issues with licenses, What you guys think???
...another thing the only server I have not touched and changed to the new workgroup is my 2003  TS, I don't want to mess with it not yet I am afraid if I change it I have more problems later when changed back to the domain again that my applications running on it might not work. Any ideas on this???
Guys thank you so much for your response, I really appreciated!

So far I have all my WS changed to a Workgroup

That part is good. Now you can just rejoin them to the new domain machine (even if the same name).

don't know, if later I am going to have issues with licenses, What you guys think???

The licensing for Server 2003 is different than for NT4, so yes, you need new licenses at the server level.

.... Thinkpads_User

thinkpad_user
Are you sure, I know licensing for NT is different to 2003, NT it never was a licensing server, 2003 is and I have my TS as the license server, I should not need anything else, if what you say is right then how you can have two License servers under the same domain?
...and how an AD Domain Controller server can be a License server too if you have one allready installed in the network?

I converted clients from NT4 and from SBS 2000 to SBS2003 some years back and all the server licencing had to be re-purchased. Yes, the licensing is different for SBS/Server 2003 than it was for NT4.

The licensing I used was Server Licensing and CAL's. I do not have a Terminal Server running anywhere.

... Thinkpads_User

...this is something I will have to see once I have my 2003 domain up and running, the licenses I have are for 2003, one thing I am not sure, this new 2003 domain server will have  AD plus DNS, should DHCP be enable also on the same domain server (now I get my ips from my CISCO PIX-515 Firewall, which I have disable).
What about WINS, is it really necessary, if it is could I have it running in another server (stand alone server) running Windows 2003 server with a role of a File Server?
Thanks

...Hey guys, maybe I am new on this and don't know how things work here, but I had my last question up and have not got any response back, can anybody look at it and let me know what you think?

You don't absolutely need one, so try without and see if anything comes up that suggests you must have it running.

.... Thinkpads_User

I guess your answer if for the WINS, ok,  but what about the DHCP server, should it be located on the same Domain AD/DNS server or I could enable it on another 2003 server which is running also as a File server?
Thanks!

I will be getting the 2003 Enterprise Server sw next week, I will let you know if I run into any problems that you guys can help me with. Thank you for all your answers.

@eloybroder - Thank you. I was happy to help and good luck going forward.

.... Thinkpads_User