Restoring System State Data To A New Server

[eggedd2k]

we have a system state backup and are attempting to restore it to a different server (totally different hardware etc). After restoring the system state data windows 2000 fails to boot. we've put this down to the two servers having different HAL's.

does anyone know if it's possible to restore system state data from one server to another different server?

if it is not possible how are you supposed to recover in a situation where your server gets stolen etc? if you have 100 users it would take you a long time to connect all users to the new server etc. if you could restore system state data you would be up and running within minutes.

[DiGGiTY]

You can't do this, as the registry and 'system protected files' will be different between two different model servers.

However, if you're just trying to restore Active Directory/Login Scripts/Group Policy Objects, I'd just do a plain W2K3 install on the backup box (maybe before hand to save time), promote to DC, and then restore the AD by starting your system in Directory Services Restore mode and follow the authoritative Directory Services Restore procedures; this technique will also let you restore your Sysvol folder (startup, login scripts plus Group Policy). If you have other DC's that are still functional and don't need an authoritative AD restore, simply promote the server to DC and let it sync up.