HELP! Tranfer Windows 2003 to New Hardware from SCSI to SATA

[sted]

just thinking out loud hereif you have an account that has permission to alter gpos it might be possible with a win7 pc (obviously needs to be joined to the domain but any user should be able to do that iirc) install rsat and create a policy that adds a user (or group) to the server users and local administrators groups at least then you could log onto the server

 

[plexer]

If it's a domain controller local accounts and groups are not in play.

 

Ben

[Dos_Box]

Just out of interest, how many users do you have and who holds the software licensing information and install disks? One option is to install the new server as a completely new, recreated, domain. It's a bit of work. but could be an answer.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I've asked a friend who used to work for the same company as me doing ICT installations and take overs and he's going to come with me to help out.

 

DO you trust him? Does he know what he's doing?

 

Because from the information you've given us if left to your self this job will end in tears.

 

Are you really not in a position to walk away from it? You say the company are already in administration, what will happen to them if they end up without working IT systems?

[plexer]

I'm wondering how long it's going to take for disaster based on having no access to the server passwords.

 

There must be legal avenues you can pursue to obtain the passwords from the previous IT company?

 

Ben

[BackCat3]

Even if I cannot transfer the servers the most important thing is that I save all of there data as there worried the IT company will remotely connect and disable there access.

 

I've got Acronis Backup & Recovery with Universal Restore that will let me install drivers into the image so when I put it on new hardware it will work, I've tried and tested it here at my home today so I know it works from SCSI to SATA on Windows 2003, so the main thing is the password. If I cannot transfer all of the data, then I'll just extract all of the user files and have to do a new Windows Installation, but at least all there documents will be safe.

 

As far as the owner tells me the IT company just wants the money there trying to negotiate, but for 30k (Just for the servers, not including thin clients/monitors/networking equipment) not really worth it.

 

 

If I reset the local admin password, I should still be able to navigate the hard drive to C:\Users and save the data right? (Even if theres no local account I could still get in via bootable linux and save data).

Edited May 6, 2011 by BackCat3

[Michael]

I take it you are not a techie then? How old is your current server out of interest, and what make/model is the new one? I'm afraid the problem you have is that we (tehies that is) never image servers, which is why server migrations (as they are called) can be so fraught, as every single user, file and specialist piece of software must be reinstalled and reconfigured each time we do it. I'd like to know how they came to a £30,000 quote though!

 

I have to agree with Dos_Box here, imaging a server really isn't a good idea. You're going to need the administrator account password no matter what. The standard way is to join the server to the domain as a member server, promote it, then transfer roles.

 

At this point you could take your time and transfer other services or applications one by one.

 

If the existing server uses RAID1 or RAID5 for example, this would/could add complications to the imaging process. I just wouldn't do it

[plexer]

If the server has hardware raid then it's possible to boot from a rescue cd and recover data, if it's software raid then no chance.

 

There is no local administrator account whilst it is a domain controller.

 

Ben

[BackCat3]

God I hope they left a sticky note with the password on.

[AngryTechnician]

God I hope they left a sticky note with the password on.

Check under the keyboard and the mouse mat!

[pete]

So has the company who've asked you to do the work paid for the hardware you'll be working on or not? Do they own it outright or are they leasing? If money is outstanding (as it appears) can you legally transfer the software?

 

Spidey sense would be telling me to GTFO, but you've confirmed that's not an option.

 

Get it all in writing to cover yourself.

[BackCat3]

They've bought all the new equipment, servers, switches, hard drives, software so I could start a-fresh if I needed too.

[BackCat3]

Another problem is its like 3 hours away from me too... Pretty annoying. I managed to get a users remote desktop account and connect through there static IP on remote desktop, just going to have a look at af ew things. Edited May 6, 2011 by BackCat3

[BackCat3]

SHIZA! I just went \\Server and theres like backup archive files in there EVERY FOLDER IS ACCESSIBLE if you just browse through the backup program

In Device Manager: IBM ServeRAID 8/8k-I Controller - Will that cause problems if I try to image it?

Edited May 6, 2011 by BackCat3

[timzim]

I think pete's right - sounds like you could be on the wrong side of the law. If you don't have access to administrator passwords then I'm sure there's a very good reason, most likely written in a contract somewhere, in which case you would have no defence in a court of law. Also, if the IT company is in administration, and your company is leasing the server, surely the server belongs to the liquidators and you have no rights to it at all now, even to use it?

 

Since you say you have new equipment and can start afresh, I suggest you don't waste any more time and do just that.

[BackCat3]

I think pete's right - sounds like you could be on the wrong side of the law. If you don't have access to administrator passwords then I'm sure there's a very good reason, most likely written in a contract somewhere, in which case you would have no defence in a court of law. Also, if the IT company is in administration, and your company is leasing the server, surely the server belongs to the liquidators and you have no rights to it at all now, even to use it?

 

Since you say you have new equipment and can start afresh, I suggest you don't waste any more time and do just that.

 

Surely they should be allowed to backup/take there data? Its only right.

[BackCat3]

GUYS!! I found the Administrator password in the root directory of Program Files on the server in a filenamed delete.txt!!

 

How should I proceed to transfering the data to the new server?

Edited May 6, 2011 by BackCat3

[AngryTechnician]

GUYS!! I found the Administrator password in the root directory of Program Files on the server in a filenamed delete.txt!!

 

This is now officially the most entertaining thread I've seen all week.

[pete]

You're sure they don't owe that 30K to "My mate Jeff, who really knows computers 'cos he put go-faster stripes on an Xbox"?

 

I mean, if the company you're working for wished to dispute the 30K owed, leaving a domain admin password in clear text where a bog-standard user can grab it (not to mention share permissions) is pretty clearly failing to do their job. What was the timestamp on the file? How long had it been sat there for anyone to fiddle with?

 

*grabs popcorn*

 

Document what you find.

[BackCat3]

There are folders called Ganja and Weed on the desktop with installers in, wtf is this IT company.

Windows Updates is completely disabled, god knows when the last time they updated, IE6 anyone?

Edited May 6, 2011 by BackCat3

[plexer]

I agree this whole thing is hilarious but I do feel sorry for you.

 

I would suggest bringing up a 2nd virtual DC asap if you are planning on keeping the same domain.

 

What is the access control and other software that is installed?

 

Ben

[BackCat3]

Just the door software. Should I install Win 2003 on the new server before I drive over there tomorrow? Can I transfer everything over without imaging now? Edited May 6, 2011 by BackCat3

[AngryTechnician]

If you want shot of the old hardware you'll probably still want to image the server, but it sounds like the version of Acronis you're using should make it relatively painless.

 

Make sure to look for any remote access software and disable it pronto.

[BackCat3]

If you want shot of the old hardware you'll probably still want to image the server, but it sounds like the version of Acronis you're using should make it relatively painless.

 

Make sure to look for any remote access software and disable it pronto.

 

If I change the curent Administrator password now, will that stop any services working?

[Dos_Box]

There are folders called Ganja and Weed on the desktop with installers in, wtf is this IT company.

Windows Updates is completely disabled, god knows when the last time they updated, IE6 anyone?

 

Oh dear! On another note, this is the best, and most head scratching thread we've had in a while

Edited May 10, 2011 by Dos_Box