Save Windows 2003 server Active Directory for reinstall?

[psihog]

What's the best way to reinstall Windows 2003 server without losing my AD users and groups, and perhaps save all my other settings like RRAS? Someone told me to create another server in domain, but I have no other PC to spare.

It's a single Windows 2003 std edition server (SP1) at my home office with accounts for few people(less than 10, not including defaults). I installed and configured it as a DC myself a year ago without any problem, but have not messed around with it since then.

Server settings (pretty much all I know on the server)
>Promoted to Domain Controller.
>Added AD users and groups
>Setup shared folders, printer and fax.
>setup RRAS - 2 NAT: wifi and gbit LAN.

 

[RebateMonger]

As a hint, if you ever need a spare Windows 2003 Server, just download trials of Virtual PC 2004 and trials of Windows Server 2003. You can bring up a new virtual server, join it to your domain, synchronize the Active Directory, etc. That technique is used in a really neat way to move servers to new hardware called Swing Migration.. It's much safer and faster than Microsoft's Domain Migration tool.

I can't tell from your post what you are trying to accomplish and why. Can you be more explicit, please?

If all you want to do is backup your Server and then re-install it to the same hardware, that can be done using either NTBackup's ASR backup and restoration, OR install Windows Server, put it into Directory Restore mode, and restore the System State and anything else you want using NTBackup.

 

[psihog]

RM, Thanks for the great ideas. I'll give them a try.
Basically I just want to reinstall Windows server 2003 in the same system, but want to keep existing user accounts.

My server developed a problem with fax service. I had two modems installed at one time. The modems were old so I tried several outdated drivers to get the right one. I think those drivers (or me) messed up the system registry. Right now, modem function is pretty much "stuck". By that I mean the hardware is still listed in device manager, but no software recognizes it and Windows Component refuse to install the fax service.
I figure it'll be faster to reinstall the server if I know how real IT folks do it.

 

[RebateMonger]

You might check for "hidden" modem devices. Maybe memories of formerly installed modems are messing up the Fax Service.

There's a registry change you can make to expose ghosted "Hidden Devices" in Device Manager. Then you can remove them. Check UseNet.

Something analogous to this can happen with network cards that have been removed. Windows Server still thinks they are there and it fouls up network card configuration......Just a wild guess....