I have a windows 2000 DC that wont boot or repair but I can access the hard drive via winpe. My second domain controller (server 2003) had hw problems and hasn't be online for about a year. After fixing the hw problem can I somehow move AD etc from the failed W2K DC to the W2K3 DC? Also have a exchange 2003 server on the network.

Hello KK, Once the HW problem have been resolved, try to login into W2K3DC and check whether you able to open AD Users and computers console or ?If it is working in W2K3DC, Seize FSMO roles from W2KDC. I suggest you check below links to transfer/seize FSMO roles. Using Ntdsutil.exe to transfer or seize FSMO roles to a domain controller:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255504 Another useful link for Seizing FSMO Roles:http://www.petri.co.il/seizing_fsmo_roles.htmRegards, Ravikumar P

Hello KK, Once the HW problem have been resolved, try to login into W2K3DC and check whether you able to open AD Users and computers console or ?If it is working in W2K3DC, Seize FSMO roles from W2KDC. I suggest you check below links to transfer/seize FSMO roles. Using Ntdsutil.exe to transfer or seize FSMO roles to a domain controller:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255504 Another useful link for Seizing FSMO Roles:http://www.petri.co.il/seizing_fsmo_roles.htmRegards, Ravikumar P

Thanks for your reply. My main problem is the W2K3 server was offline for over a year so I think any users or mailboxes that were created since then will not be recognized? So I'm wondering if I can make use of the NTDS files or any other files that I can access on the W2K server hard drive to bring the AD database up to date?

Hello, there is NO way to extract informations from the Windows 2000 Server DC and add them to the other DC. NTDS.DIT is NOT enough to restore AD. So you have NO AD AWARE BACKUP from the broken DC, at least a system state backup? Unfortunate you have not running the Windows server 2003 DC so you can ONLY use the inforamtion on that DC that is old. There is no option to update the offline DC with the actual information from the broken DC. Be aware that Exchange on a DC is NOT recommended and as the offline DC seems not to have Exchange installed you have of course NO Exchange inforamtions. You may!!! be able to extract the Exchange database and Exchange logfiles and built with that informations a new Exchange server. But therefore please ask the Exchange experts in http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/category/exchangeserver/ So you have to work with the one year old DC data or start complete new. It is always recommended to have at least 2 DC/DNS/GC per domain that are up and running. Otherwise AD aware backup is the ONLY way to have an option to get a domain back. Best regards Meinolf Weber MVP, MCP, MCTS Microsoft MVP - Directory Services My Blog: http://msmvps.com/blogs/mweber/ Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties or guarantees and confers no rights.