hello all I'm running win2k server with SP4 (DC) all the client login to this server. Now I want to take Backup of my AD with System State (with all users and a/c info) and then will make new server up and running. so what do I do for instance that users are not affected to login and what is the best practise of it . thanks and Regards

Also is this necessary to restore backup on the same hardware sonfiguration as AD installed previously?

If you have two servers and want to replace one, why not make the 2nd one a DC, then Global Catalog holder, transfer the FSMO roles, then demote and remove the first one? Otherwise users will not be able to log in while you are doing the restore. On the second question, this is from the Windows 2003 help which does suggest you can restore to different hardware, but I am not sure about 2000. Of course you will test in a lab environment before doing this 'for real'. When you choose to back up or restore the System State data, all of the System State data that is relevant to your computer is backed up or restored; you cannot choose to back up or restore individual components of the System State data. This is due to dependencies among the System State components. However, you can restore the System State data to an alternate location. If you do this, only the registry files, SYSVOL directory files, Cluster database information files, and system boot files are restored to the alternate location. The Active Directory directory services database, Certificate Services database, and COM+ Class Registration database are not restored if you designate an alternate location when you restore the System State data. Peter (Alert me if you want a reply)