Convert Windows 2003 evaluation version

[george-v]

I have Windows 2003 Enterprise Evaluation version, build # 3790, service pk 2
running . Also puchased Technet Plus subscription . I have lots of
programing learning stuff on this PC. Can I use my technet subscription
Windows product key to convert evaluation version to a fully functional
version without erasing all what I have.

Thanks

George V

[Paul Weterings]

Not as far as I know.

george-v wrote:
> I have Windows 2003 Enterprise Evaluation version, build # 3790, service pk 2
> running . Also puchased Technet Plus subscription . I have lots of
> programing learning stuff on this PC. Can I use my technet subscription
> Windows product key to convert evaluation version to a fully functional
> version without erasing all what I have.
>
> Thanks
>
> George V

[Andrew Lomakin]

Hi George,

It's not possible, as far as i know. What you can do is an in-place
upgrade - boot from the windows 2003 CD and choose to install over the
existing OS - that will keep your programs and settings. I wouldn't
recommend this, if you have something heavy like AD or exchange running on
the existing server.

Regards,

Andrew

"george-v" <georgev@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E383E6C6-BC09-4DD6-8794-DA4051B2E6D3@microsoft.com...
>I have Windows 2003 Enterprise Evaluation version, build # 3790, service pk
>2
> running . Also puchased Technet Plus subscription . I have lots of
> programing learning stuff on this PC. Can I use my technet subscription
> Windows product key to convert evaluation version to a fully functional
> version without erasing all what I have.
>
> Thanks
>
> George V

[Meinolf Weber]

Hello george-v,

From another posting, try it out and before make an image of the machine
so you can go back to thte state before:
This is one way that works for mostly all type of upgrade you want to do.
It worked for me to update my VLK 2003 Server with SP1 to a Activate to use
Server 2003 R2 SP2... and here's how i did it... all legit:

-Use your technet to download the Windows 2003 R2 SP2 CD (there are 2 CD for
this)
- Insert the CD in your server, and reboot the server
- Once you get te "press any key to boot from CD... " do so
- When you are prompted to press F6 to add drivers, do so if you need to...
and proceed to the next step
- Once you are up to the install/repair (with recovery console) chose to
install then proceed to the next step
- Press F8 to acknowledge the license, then the installer will search for an
already installed version of Windows and should discover your current 2K3
server.
- Choose to repair this installation and the upgrade will proceed.
- Once it pops you the screen to select the keyboard, language and regional
settings, ajust it to you needs...
- It should then ask for your License number, which you can enter here (make
sure it's your new valid license) and continue installation.
- Installation will complete and reboot your server.
- Log in with your user account and voila... you should be back to where you
left it out last time except, you will have 60 days to activate your
windows, and you will need to re-apply all windows update since you have a
mostly new install of windows with all the software and configuration you
had...

I successfuly migrated like dozens of server like that that were installed
using a VLK key and/or evaluation technet software to full production Retail
package.

Just make sure you have the proper CD-DVD for the installation, as the product
ID and volume name are checked upon installation and it could cause you problem
if you have the wrong CD/DVD and licence number.



Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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> I have Windows 2003 Enterprise Evaluation version, build # 3790,
> service pk 2 running . Also puchased Technet Plus subscription . I
> have lots of programing learning stuff on this PC. Can I use my
> technet subscription Windows product key to convert evaluation version
> to a fully functional version without erasing all what I have.
>
> Thanks
>
> George V
>