The server setup group doesn't seem to be discussing Windows 2003 server
stuff so I thought I'd try here instead. Please redirect me if I'm
incorrect.

Can I use the product key on the original W2K3 eval kit (no SP) I have
for installing W2K3 R2 SP2 eval which I recently downloaded? I have not
used the original eval kit and it appears I can only order a Windows
2008 Server eval kit from MS these days, although I did manage to locate
the download for the 2K3 R2 SP2 disc images at MS but not a method for
getting the key emailed to me. I'm lucky I found what I did since MS
redirects all queries for 2003 to their 2008 links.

I am not interested in evaluating 2008 at this time, I just want to use
2003 eval.

Due to limited hardware available my only option at this time is to dual
boot on a machine I use online, so the latest version and SP level I can
get in an evaluation form the better since it will also be online.

Also am I correct in presuming that SPs cannot be applied to eval
versions? I believe I read that some years ago but I might be mistaken.



Thanks,
Steve

I believe you should be good with the trial key you have. I also think you
can apply Service packs to a trial but not any of the windows genuine stuff.
Please correct me if you find that not to be the case.

SteveN wrote:

> The server setup group doesn't seem to be discussing Windows 2003
> server stuff so I thought I'd try here instead. Please redirect me if
> I'm incorrect.
>
> Can I use the product key on the original W2K3 eval kit (no SP) I have
> for installing W2K3 R2 SP2 eval which I recently downloaded? I have
> not used the original eval kit and it appears I can only order a
> Windows 2008 Server eval kit from MS these days, although I did
> manage to locate the download for the 2K3 R2 SP2 disc images at MS
> but not a method for getting the key emailed to me. I'm lucky I found
> what I did since MS redirects all queries for 2003 to their 2008
> links.
> I am not interested in evaluating 2008 at this time, I just want to
> use 2003 eval.
>
> Due to limited hardware available my only option at this time is to
> dual boot on a machine I use online, so the latest version and SP
> level I can get in an evaluation form the better since it will also
> be online.
> Also am I correct in presuming that SPs cannot be applied to eval
> versions? I believe I read that some years ago but I might be
> mistaken.
> Thanks,
> Steve

--
/kj

Thanks kj. I appreciate the advice. I will likely try it out soon and
let you know the results. From what little I've read windows Genuine
Advantage does not cover Win 2003 server anyway so I may good on that.

Steve

kj [SBS MVP] wrote:

> I believe you should be good with the trial key you have. I also think you
> can apply Service packs to a trial but not any of the windows genuine stuff.
> Please correct me if you find that not to be the case.
>
> SteveN wrote:

>> The server setup group doesn't seem to be discussing Windows 2003
>> server stuff so I thought I'd try here instead. Please redirect me if
>> I'm incorrect.
>>
>> Can I use the product key on the original W2K3 eval kit (no SP) I have
>> for installing W2K3 R2 SP2 eval which I recently downloaded? I have
>> not used the original eval kit and it appears I can only order a
>> Windows 2008 Server eval kit from MS these days, although I did
>> manage to locate the download for the 2K3 R2 SP2 disc images at MS
>> but not a method for getting the key emailed to me. I'm lucky I found
>> what I did since MS redirects all queries for 2003 to their 2008
>> links.
>> I am not interested in evaluating 2008 at this time, I just want to
>> use 2003 eval.
>>
>> Due to limited hardware available my only option at this time is to
>> dual boot on a machine I use online, so the latest version and SP
>> level I can get in an evaluation form the better since it will also
>> be online.
>> Also am I correct in presuming that SPs cannot be applied to eval
>> versions? I believe I read that some years ago but I might be
>> mistaken.
>> Thanks,
>> Steve

>

kj [SBS MVP] wrote:

> ... I also think you can apply Service packs to a trial ...

Definitely. I have done so this week.

Stroller wrote:

> kj [SBS MVP] wrote:
>

>> ... I also think you can apply Service packs to a trial ...

>
> Definitely. I have done so this week.

Great news. Thank you.

Steve