So ok, i figured it out.
3 less hairs.
You setup another NW server, patched, with no licenses.
Install GW65 by only doing the copy files, admin, console 1 checkboxes. You can create a new system, but dont bother.
Restore your 55 DOMAIN and PO folders to the NEW server's volume. (If you copied from CD-R, make sure you flag all the domain and po files NON-read-only).
Manually copy all the .DC files from the 65 software folder to your restored 55 domain and PO folders. Trust me. Agents cant upgrade to 65 without these.
Open C1, snapins complain about cant find stuff, ignore.
Highlight your OU context.
Click Tools, GW Utes, GW/NDS Assoc, graft objects.
Graft wizard asks you the proper questions.
First step only graft domains and POs. Users will do later.
On the server, load the MTA only. It upgrades the wpdomain. to be 65 compliant. Then shut it down.
Back in C1, Tools, GW system, connect to newly upgraded wpdomain.db in your domain folder. Do the Link tool. PO link from the domain should use UNC. Get it right. Save.
Back on the server, load MTA and wait for any messages.
Load the POA, upgrades the PO to 65 format. Joy.
Back in C1, create NDS user objects for everybody who was in your old PO. Re-run Graft Wizard. It will now be able to read the 65 DOMAIN and PO and prompt you, user-by-user, to associate user mailboxes with the matching NDS user objects.
This step alone allows you to SAVE the FID assocaitions.
Login with 65 client and go to town.
capiche?
George Walkey
Senior Geek in charge