Windows Server 2003: evaluation?

[VJ]

Hello,

We are running a Windows Server 2003 evaluation version. This evaluation is valid for 180 days. How can we tell when it will expire?

Thanks!

Jörg

[schmosef]

It stops booting.

[schmosef]

Seriously, I don't know.

But check the "General" tab under the "System" control panel.

[Dilitante1]

server logs and calculate from there?

[Jammrock]

Periodic pop-ups will come up when you log in as a user on the server, usually once a week, asking you to activate a full version copy of it.

At least that's what most MS eval versions do.

[VJ]

Schmosef: preferably, we'd like to know before that...
Dillitante: Well, we did a new installation from scratch, so the servers logs can't tell us when we activated the trial...
Jammrock: Oddly enough, it doesn't seem to show pop-ups...

I would have hoped there would be a tool (I remember there was something for NT or 2000, that showed a countdown on the desktop) or so, but I can't find anything...


Jörg

[agallag]

If this is a server you're planning to use long term, why not just get a full version now?

[Jammrock]

Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Windows Activation?

If that's not there, look for the %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe, which is the EXE for Windows Activation. That should tell you what you need to know.

Jammrock

[VJ]

Agallag: The university has a full contract with Microsoft. The 64-bit 2003 server is not yet included (32 bit is), but this is expected within a few months. It would be silly for our departement to pay for the license now, when there will be a campus license shortly.

Jammrock: It just shows it has been activated... (and then we can click ok to exit). From the commandline, the msoobe.exe file shows nothing...


Jörg