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server 2003 licensing issues

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5 replies

by natcat

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Hi All,
I have a client who, after a bit of a mix up, didn't recieve server 2003 media although he bought all the relevant licenses.
He ended up using a server 2003 cd that "magically" appeared. However he is unable to install any patches or service packs and recieves the error message "unable to continue because this is an invalid product.
The proper media has arrived but is it necessary to format the drives and reinstall the software. Or can I aviod rebuilding the box by some registry tweaks ?

5 replies

by drsysadmin

Sounds like they used a release candidate or something. Verify that this is not the case. Either way - run setup from the licensed CD and allow it to "repair" the system. This MAY resolve the issue. You may also want to take all registry entries revolving around registration out.
If not - then you are looking at a rebuild.
Luck.
Dr. Sys

by jchristopher

If your client used a "cracked" version there could be all kinds of security holes in the server. This would be just the beginning of their problems. I hope you rebuilt that box.

by natcat

Nope, My client asked another company for thier legal copy of the w2k server software. They made sure it was another volume license copy, just as the microsoft rep said when we called them to ask if licensing will be a problem.

Unfortunately I was unable to really get into the black box that is microsoft and explain to them that the only thing my client did wrong was not to wait the 2 months it took microsoft to deliver THIER media CD.

Yes I have no choice but to rebuild everything on the server which will be an unnecessary expense to the client. It hasn't escaped me that I will be paid for this but I don't want to make money off of MS licensing issues.

Sorry for the rant but this still gets me annoyed.

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