windows 4.0 to windows 2000

Typically, you demote your PDC to a BDC and upgrade the new PDC to windows 2000. Once the installation is complete, you run dcpromo on the New 2000 server, and assign it all of the operations masters so that the new machine takes on the brunt of responsibilities.

In your case, your best bet is to upgrade the PDC after you've backed up the machine in its entirety. Then, run dcpromo on the new 2000 server, implement Active Directory, and again, assign all of the Operations Master roles to the new server.

It's risky only having the one PDC because if it fails, you can't promote a BDC to the PDC role in the NT type domain as a fail safe.

I hope this helps.

Also, you might want to hit Microsoft's website and look into the migration process they have documented for further assistance.

For a easier migration, U could follow the next scenario:

- leave the NT4.0 PDC unaffected;
- clean install a Windows 2000 Advanced Server on a new machine (look at the Hardware requests);
- on the W2K machine, run dcpromo (this will install the Active Directory component);
- download the ADMT (Active Directory Migration Tool) from the www.microsoft.com web-page;
- read Q260871 from Technet (this is regarding to an NT4.0 - W2K migration);
- U have to set up some trust relations between the NT4.0 machine and the W2K machine, also U have to make a little change in the Registry of the NT 4.0 machine (but if U don't make it Yourself, the ADMT makes it for U);
- with use of ADMT (which has a Graphic Interface), U have to migrate all users, groups and computers from the NT4.0 to W2K;
- after U have done the steps above, U have a W2K domain controller, which holds every information regarding accounts (including rights, auditing, aso.);
- if U want to keep as server the former NT4.0 machine, on the NT4.0 PDC, U have to run u-promote (mail me if U don't find it), to make it a BDC, or simply disconnect the PDC running NT4.0 from the network, perform a clean install of W2K, and add the new server to the network, as Domain Controller. In 2K, the PDC or BDC terms does not exist anymore. There is only the Domain Controller.
I have done this steps described above, and I have now a W2K network, running perfectly.
Hope this helpes.