Proper Procedure to change servername of replicated environemnts?

Hi There

Firslty this is a question concerning sql server 2000 hope this is not just a 2005 forum?

I need to change the servername of a few of our sql 2000 database servers.
I know the procedure to change the name and reconfigure sql with the new servername.
What i am concerned about is that these databases are being replicated via a remote distributor.
Obviously the subscriptions stipulate the servernames , i am concerned about what will happen to replication when the server name is changed i have a feeling replication will fall over.
Does anyone have a good link or white paper on proper procedure to change server names on replicated sql server databases.
I will also need to change the server name of the remote distributor.

This whole procedure could be tricky and i am not 100% sure about the proper procedure and i cannot find anything useful in BOL.
I am hoping all i have to do is stop certain replication agents , change the subscription info and start them again but i am really not sure.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanx

Sean,

Server rename does not support replication. You can script replication from Enterprise Manager or SQL Server Management Studio, drop it, rename the server, and then rerun the script after modifying it with search and replace to use the new name.

-Matt|||Hi Matt

I have found a BOL reference basically you do have to disable replication, so subscriptions will have to be reinitialzed afterwards.
ALso i have foubd that when you script replication the sql it produces in littered with syntactical errors.

But i have made a plan.

Thanx for the advise.