IT Employment·20,060 discussions

HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Locked

I work for a nonprofit/volunteer organization in Houston, TX. I don’t have the funds to hire someone to set up our new server so I have to do it myself…
We are currently running NT 4.0 with Exchange Server 5.5 Eterprise Edition on it. I am setting up our new server in a different office just until I know I set everyhting up correctly, then I will switch the two servers out. I have Advanced Server 2000 installed on the new server. I’m not sure how to setup or configure the new server. I am a novice at this. I have tried to install Exchange Server 5.5 on the new server, but I keep getting the error that “The computer (new server) has to be on an NT domain. However, I already have the new server on the same domain as the old one is currently running on. It won’t let me activate the Active Directory either. I’m not sure how to configure the DNS. Does my new server need to be connected to all the routers, etc. to work properly? I assumed as long as I was connected to the network I could set it up. Our old server crashes constantly and it really effects our day-to-day operations with our volunteer groups. I apologize for this, I just don’t know what else to do. Our organization really needs help with this.

Topic

could you define what you did?

In reply to HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you define the steps you have taken so far in a general step by step manner so we might be able to see if you configured something incorrectly?

Steps so far.

In reply to could you define what you did?

1) I installed Advanced Server 2000 onto the new server

2) I thought the next step was to either setup Active Directory or configure DNS.

I’m being honest… I am not even on the same planet as any of you. I only know enough to understand what you all are saying, but that’s about it. I’m not sure what my next steps are. I’ve read all of the setup procedures in the manuel, etc.

What is my first priority after installing the OS?

ok

In reply to Steps so far.

I’m guessing you have everything partitioned. And your server name is not used already by another network computer. And you have installed the necessary device drivers. And you have configured TCP/IP.
http://www.techtutorials.com has a bit of information that you could find useful.
this may help as well:
http://forums.aspfree.com/t25439/s.html
and this:
http://www.serverwatch.com/tutorials/article.php/2179631

let me know if any of these help.

?????

In reply to ok

Thanks ITgirli!!
I’m not sure how to configure TCP/IP. I know all the drivers have been installed. I’m just not sure where to really begin.

a step forward

In reply to ?????

I actually did something right. I have begun to install Exchange on my new server. However, half way through the installation it asks me if I want to create a new site or join an exisiting site. Wouldn’t I want to join the site my old server is on? I don’t want to change anything(domain, etc.), I just want to switch out servers. What would you recommend?

DCPROMO

In reply to HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

search and read up on DCPROMO to promote your new server and start AD.

Actually, I feel for you. I work with volunteer\non-profits too and was where you are now at one time. You CAN do this- you will need to learn a bunch though- you can still get “Windows 2000 Server System Administration Handbook” from http://www.oreilly.com/ or do a bunch of searches on dcpromo to get moving in the right direction.

This will be a good time to consider a new addressing scheme and learning and understanding what all your routers, etc. do so that you build a solid base for your future and your organizations.

Best of luck to you and enjoy having a real lab to learn in! Many people are not afforded this luxury as they learn 🙂

NT?

In reply to HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let me get this correct. You are trying to install Exchange 5.5 on Advanced Server 2000. Now why do you want to do that? If it is a fresh install you might want to use exchange 2000 instead on a 2000 server. It is very much easier and almost everything will be by default, provided you configure your DNS correctly.

Unless, you want to migrate you old data from your old servers, I will suggest a fresh install with 2000 server and exchange 2000. Even if you want to migrate your users old email, I will suggest copy your users email to their own personal folder. Then setup 2000 server (DNS must be properly configured), installed exchange 2000 and manually populate your users on the new servers. You will find that it is actually quite a breeze

donated

In reply to NT?

I have to use what I have because since I work for a non-profit organization, everything I have is donated. So, I have to make the best of what I have to work with.
I want to migrate my entire old server onto the new server. What is the best way to transfer everything over and how do I do it? Thanks, everyone!!!

additional links

In reply to donated

you might get some additional info from the links below:

http://www.winnetmag.com/MicrosoftExchangeOutlook/Article/ArticleID/15548/15548.html

http://www.brienposey.com/kb/windows_upgrade.asp

DudE! Microsoft GIVES software to Non-Profits!

In reply to donated

You need to get donated hardware, well ok you do what you can, but get your grant writer or whoever to contact MS and get some legit software. Chances are your out of compliance anyway if you are using donated software.

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