win2k3 box crapped out... how do i move the AD info to another system?

[xyyz]

my existing server went bad. the PS failed and the MB wont boot. anyways, the drive is probably intact.

i have enough stuff to make another server, but i'm wondering what i do about the AD info? i put it in a separate directory, so is there anyway to import it to the new server, or is there a trick where i can put the HD in the new server, and have it work with totally different hardware?

 

[imported_Phil]

Here's what I'd do:

Ghost the drive immediately to a spare disk, and keep it somewhere safe. Then, get the new base hardware, add the disk and run a Repair installation on 2003. IIRC, this should preserve the AD info (correct me if I'm wrong someone). If it doesn't, then you have the backup disk left to play with still.

Good luck

 

[stash]

This is why you have more than one DC and backups. Oh, you don't.

You can (sometimes) move AD to different hardware, but you need a system state backup to do it. Just having the .dit file is not enough. Hopefully the repair works, because otherwise you will be out of luck.

 

[NogginBoink]

Your best bet is to get a replacement MoBo of the same make/model and try to boot off the existing drive.

Next time, make a backup!

 

[xyyz]

this is a home system. i know i should have backups, but I don't.

i am looking to get an identical MB, but they're costing a hell of a lot more than i want to spend on an old dual slot 1 bx based board.

what i do is have the AD on a separate partition; therefore, if i blitz the install partition, i still have the rest of the partitions intact.

i'm not following, what can i do with a backup that i can't do with a separate partition with the AD on it?

 

[azev]

Unfortunately you cant just reinstall windows on your OS partition and re-enabled active directory with the old database file.
When you do a backup, there's other stuff that got backed up such as registry entry, schema, etc, etc. Those item are necessary for you to restore AD.

 

[daveshel]

If you can mount the old drive in the new server, you should be able to use an LDAP utility to suck the data from the old AD. I don't think the ADMT would work and you might run into some naming conflict challenges, but I think it is possible.

 

[xyyz]

hmmm... so my best bet, at the moment, is to get replacement hardware and boot as if nothing happened. then i can replicate this over to the other server.