Getting an Installed version legal

[dianaf]

Hello, We had installed windows 2000 server illegal copy, We already have the legal package, I was wondering if it is possible to make the installed copy legal, changing the register or something? or do I have to re-install the server using the legal CD? (you know is a hard task)...

Thanks in advance!,
Diana Milena.

 

[GarethT]

Im not a Microsoft Licensing department employee BUT-if youve got a license for the version of windows you have installed then it doesnt matter who youve registered the server too or which Cd youve used-as long as the license is for that version of Windows.

MCSE NT&2K,CCNA/CCDA,CNA,ASE,NSP

 

[wolluf]

If you have a valid licence now, and the install is working correctly, you should be ok to leave it as is (I presume by illegal, you mean you had a 'pirated' key?)

 

[victorv]

hi,
I belive 2 above post are right, however

a compromise, may be what we use when we clone servers.

There is a M$ utiliy called sysprep for the purpose.

You can launch it with a flag nosidgen in your case.

After the machine reboots, it asks you some informations
(ie License Key) and you can enter that of Official CD
without reistall server.

Probably if you take some choise, you have to reenter
hostname and ip-configuration, but no reinstall all.

bye

 

[GarethT]

Victorv-- bad idea in my opinion as your going to lose your active directory information if you sysprep it

MCSE NT&2K,CCNA/CCDA,CNA,ASE,NSP

 

[victorv]

hi Gareth,
altough we are "colleague" today we have different
point of views. This is the "core" of a forum.

I am sure you are right about AD, but I use sysprep
to clone member servers to use for Citrix or other
large number of servers groups.

If the server has not dcpromo"ted", probably Diana
"sleeps" better if has a valid installation of Win.

Thank you for AD information, and if you think there
are other contraindications tell them us.


bye

 

[dianaf]

Hello guys,

Well, I wanted to get my win legal, so that I could update it, but know I am thinking about it. I will "sleep" worst if I lose information and any possibility is worring for me. victorv are you sure is going to be ok?

Thanks guys for helping me,
Diana.

 

[victorv]

hi,
as you have seen in previous posts, there are things that
you can lose and other no, it depends from which.

If your server is a AD domain controller, Gareth says, you
lose your AD data if you use sysprep (probably without
using nosidgen, it recreates sid and you lose AD info).

If you have just finished to install the server and you don't want lose your work and have a right copy ov WIN,
use sysprep -nosidgen (see doc) and go (after a backup, if
you can)

As above mentioned, I use sysprep to regenarate sid information and license-key, in servers just installed, to avoid to repeat my installation work. It works fine but
on servers there is only my work, not still user's data
or other.

If your server is in production from many months and/or
you have complex network or you think to sleep "bad" if
you lose user data (no sure of backup, no possibility
to stays with server off-line for some hours), hold your
server as is, I belive if you have the right number of licenses, you are from the right part of the law.

bye

 

[dianaf]

Thank you so much guys!!!!!

I feel much better now, I have been working so hard and It would be terrible to lose something. I am going to follow your advice.

Regards,
Diana