Question About WHS Trial

[Taddeusz]

I have the WHS Trial but have yet to install it. My concern is what happens after 120 days? Do I have to reinstall the entire OS to have a licensed version? How does that work?

[heffe2001]

Yep, after the trial, you reinstall the OS (but you can do a reinstall and keep your files on the storage drives, just the OS/programs are reinstalled).

[PLUCKYHD]

I didn't have to install WHS again I just entered my key once I purchased it. I was only approx 20 days into the trail though.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by heffe2001

Yep, after the trial, you reinstall the OS (but you can do a reinstall and keep your files on the storage drives, just the OS/programs are reinstalled).

Does that require a full install (i.e. format and clean install) or can an in-place-upgrade be done?

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

I didn't have to install WHS again I just entered my key once I purchased it. I was only approx 20 days into the trail though.

That's what I was hoping for.

[gplasky]

You'll have to do a reinstall. The trial key is different from an OEM key and there is no way to change the product key on the trial. There is a way to do it if you follow these steps:

NOTE: You need to start with an OEM Copy of the installation disk. Not the trial copy. The product Keys are different. You can borrow a copy from a friend or there are several copies available via Bit Torrent type download. Don't worry about your friend's copy if that is what you use, we are never going to activate it.

This is NOT an activation hack. Everything we do uses either features Microsoft already built into the software or Microsoft's own instructions.

1.Load a copy of the OEM Software
2.before the 30 day grace period is up, add another 30 days
3.change the product Key to the one from a purchased copy

Now for the detail

I. Installation
Install a copy of the OEM Software. All purchased copies are OEM. JUST DON'T ACTIVATE the software. Microsoft gives you a 30day grace period in which to activate. Use 29 of those days and then go to step II.

If you download via a Torrent, burn a DVD and install from that. Most of the Torrent download come with a Product Key. Go ahead and use that Key to get the software installed. Microsoft has that key blocked anyway. And we will never use that key to try and activate in any case.

If you use a buddy's DVD, just use their key for the installation and DO NOT ACTIVATE

II. Add 30 Days
Before your 30 day grace period is up. Do a Google search on rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobe�and follow the instructions you find to add another 30 days to your grace period.

You should be able to do this 3 times for a total of 120 days. However, I have only done it 2 times so to be safe you might want to plan on a 90 day trial.

YOU CANNOT DO THIS MORE THAN 3 or maybe 4 TIMES. THEREFORE THIS IS NOT A FOREVER THING AND THIS IS NOT AN ACTIVATION HACK.

III. Activate

OK, now you've decided you like WHS (What's not to like!!) and you go buy a copy.

Go to Microsoft's KB918342 instructions at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918342 and simply follow their instructions to change your product key. After their 7th step, "Remind me later" simply rerun %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
and activate over the Internet

Gerry

[lotusvball]

Originally Posted by PLUCKYHD

I didn't have to install WHS again I just entered my key once I purchased it. I was only approx 20 days into the trail though.

I would like to know how you did this. First it is clearly stated by Microsoft that this is not possible. Second, I have confirmed that this will not work. Do a Google search and you will see, the 120 time bomb is hardcoded into WHS with now way to remove it without a reinstall. I just did mine a month ago. So unless it changed or you were able to figure a different way, you need to do a server reinstall. You will not lose any of you files, but you will have to reinstall any drivers and sagetv addin.

Also, when you install the 120 day trial, write down the date that it will expire by calculating it yourself. Windows will show a date that is 180 days out and this is incorrect. It is a known issue that has not been fixed yet. Since the WHS is usually set up to be headless you will not know that you have an issue until it is too late. When your trial expires WHS will reboot you server every 2 hours. Which can be a problem when trying to record shows.

I had the trial and loved it. I was not 100% stable, but pretty close. I did a reinstall of the server with my purchased disc and then noticed that the server became very stable. I am not sure of what the difference was, and I don't care right now. I am just stating what happen to me.

Good luck. and enjoy.

[Taddeusz]

That seems like a lot of trouble to me. Assuming I can at least do a repair install (i.e. in-place-upgrade) that would be the path I'd rather take.

[PLUCKYHD]

Okay maybe that way but if you install it and don't enter a trial key you still get a 30 day trial and then you can enter your license number without reinstall

I should have read the 120 trail my fault

[greggerm]

What about PURCHASING WHS...

I can't for the life of me find WHS available for straight purchase! How does one get their hands on a purchasable copy of this?

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by greggerm

What about PURCHASING WHS...

I can't for the life of me find WHS available for straight purchase! How does one get their hands on a purchasable copy of this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116550

[greggerm]

Aaah Newegg - I was going to the MS store direct in hopes of a downloadable edition + online purchase.

Thanks,
-Greg

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by greggerm

Aaah Newegg - I was going to the MS store direct in hopes of a downloadable edition + online purchase.

Thanks,
-Greg

WHS is only available as an OEM product. No retail version exists. This is probably why you can't find it in the Microsoft store.

[PLUCKYHD]

Yeah I got the great action pack

but if it wasn't for that I would say newegg is your best bet. If you can't wait for it to arrive like I said install it when it ask for a key leave it blank as long you enter your key within 30 days you will be good without the need for reinstall.