How to Remove and Reinstall DHCP and Keep the DHCP Configuration (169229)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q169229

SUMMARY

It is sometimes necessary to remove and then reinstall the DHCP Server service. This article explains how to perform this procedure and maintain your DHCP server settings.

MORE INFORMATION

To ensure that the defined DHCP scope and global properties are not lost, you must make a backup copy of the following file before you reinstall DHCP. 
   %SystemRoot%\System32\Dhcp\Backup\Dhcpcfg

This file contains a copy of the registry entries for the configuration of the DHCP server. The file is automatically updated by the DHCP Manager every time the DHCP server is shutdown.

To restore the previous configuration with this file, perform the following procedure:
  1. Remove and reinstall the Microsoft DHCP Server service.
  2. Before restarting, reapply any service packs that are installed.
  3. Restart the server to allow the installation to finish.
  4. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Services icon, and select DHCP server from the Services dialog box. Click Stop, and then click Close.

    WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.
  5. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe) and find the following subkey: 
       HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
   \DHCP Server\Configuration
  6. Select the Configuration key, then from the Registry menu, click Restore. Type the path to the backup copy of the Dhcpcfg file.
  7. Click Yes at the warning message dialog box.
  8. Exit Registry Editor.
  9. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click the Services icon, and then select DHCP Server in the Services dialog box. Click Start, and then click Close.
The previously defined DHCP properties should now be in place. You may then need to reconcile the database information using the steps outlined in the Reconcile DHCP Information section in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge base:

173396 How to Restore a Corrupt DHCP Database File

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/24/2004
Keywords:kbhowto kbnetwork KB169229
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.