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Upgrade Windows Server 2003 Eval Version

We installed the 180 day eval copy of Windows Server 2003 on our development server a while ago. Now I've received the license key I want to upgrade the eval version to a retail version. I definitely don't want to reinstall.

In a KB article I found the following: "To remove the 180-day expiration period for an evaluation version of Windows Server 2003, upgrade your computer to the full retail, released version of Windows Server 2003." Ok, mooi, so how do I do that? Hmm And then it tells you to go to the Windows Server home page. I've also tried the Windows Server forums, but to no avail. Only solution I found there is to put the full version cd in and upgrade it. BUT, I don't have a new cd, only the license key. And no one replied on my post. It can't be that difficult, or am I missing something here? 

So as a last resort I contacted MS Support - the guy was very friendly and helpful, but his solution was that I wait for it to completely expire as it will give me the option to enter a license key then. Only problem with that is the server reboots every hour and it is still another 28 days to go... I am running out of ideas, and I can't believe that this is an uncommon problem?

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Posted: Oct 26 2006, 08:30 PM by Thea Burger | with 8 comment(s)
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Comments

Ryan said:

i am sure i could loan you a "backup" of my windows 2003 server disk .... just to get you up & running of course with your very own fancy license key. once installed the backup will naturally self terminate, in 5.... 4.... 3....
# October 27, 2006 7:59 AM

Craig Nicholson said:

You can normally do it from the Activation wizard. Try http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/expert/KnowledgebaseAnswer/0,289625,sid68_gci1157724,00.html,

# October 27, 2006 2:22 PM

Thea Burger said:

Thanks! When I access the Activation Wizard it only tells me that this copy has been activated...

I think I'm going to get my hands on someones Win2003 disk.

# November 1, 2006 8:35 AM

Anonymous Geek said:

Put this in to a .REG file, save it, and import it into the registry. our computer will force you to reactivate using a trial key or retail key. Here is the file text: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents] "OOBETimer"=hex:ff,22,17,f1,13,1e,4d,fd,a6,9a,7a,32 "LastWPAEventLogged"=hex:d6,07,0b,00,06,00,0b,00,10,00,06,00,0a,00,fa,00
# November 29, 2006 5:11 AM

Mike said:

Maybe change the date to next month, enter license key, change clock back?
# December 3, 2006 2:41 PM

Thea Burger said:

So in the end it expired and we had to install Standard. I borrowed a Standard CD and installed, keeping all files. Everything is working fine now - thanks for all the suggestions.

# December 28, 2006 9:48 AM

Joa said:

Non of the above suggestion did work for me...

/Joan

# January 18, 2007 7:06 PM

Thea Burger's Blog said:

In view of my prior frustrating experience upgrading a Microsoft product (complete reinstall), I was

# July 23, 2007 4:19 PM