Clone production Windows 2003 server

[barno]

I would like to clone a domain joined windows 2003 server, but I'm unable to run sysprep on the clone because it's domain joined, and I don't want to take it out of the domain and effect the production server.

I need to do some testing and don't want to mess up the production server so basically I need another copy of the server added to to the domain with a different name/sid etc.

Thanks for your help.

[JagadeeshDev]

What happens if we run a sysprep on cloned machine ? Which option of customization you are selecting.

Refer this VMware vSphere 4 - ESX and vCenter Server

VMware KB: Windows SID needs to be changed after copying a virtual machine directory  

[barno]

I'm selecting

Reseal, and Shut Down. 

Don't reset grace period for activiation, don't regenerate security identifiers, and detect non-plug and play hardware are unchecked.

I get a message saying sysprep is unable to run because it's joined to a domain.

[barno]

I ran SP2 on the machine, it ran fine.  After the reboot I ran the Sysprep from the Deploy.CAB on the SP2 cd, and now it's saying

"There is an incompatibility between this tool and the current operating system.  Unable to continue"

[barno]

Wow, it's running now...

I had to remove File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks service, then restart the server service, and then sysprep ran !

finally