The evaluation period for my MS Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition software that is loaded on my server has expired. The files loaded on the server are still accessible, but when I attempt to start the server, it tells me that my software evaluation period has expired and I need to secure a retail license. Furthermore, it tell me that "Windows will not start." My question is this. If I get a retail version of the software and reinstall it, am I going to reconfigure the hard drive such that it deletes the files that are on the hard drive, requiring that they be reinstalled also? I need to get my server back up and running so I can get an updated copy of server software downloaded. Any suggestions?

If this server is in production, my recommendation is to get a valid license key from Microsoft. If the data is in a different drive, you should be able to access it after the reinstall. Also, I would recommend using Windows 2008 or R2 instead of Windows 2003. Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX Blogs - http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ Articles - http://www.sivarajan.com/publications.html Twitter: @santhosh_sivara - http://twitter.com/santhosh_sivara This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties, and confers no rights.

You can log on to the computer in safe mode only if you log on to the computer by using the local administrator account. You can upgrade to the retail, released version of Windows Server 2003 while you are in safe mode. The option to upgrade in safe mode may not be available if your computer is running as a domain controller. Windows 2003 Server evaluation copy expiration behavior http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818025 Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional -Microsoft MVP [Windows]

Hello, I believe that if you do an upgrade to Server 2008 it should keep your settings from 2003. Since your data is accessible, be sure to make a backup of your data files before trying anything. MiguelMiguel Fra / Falcon IT Services Computer & Network Support, Miami, FL Visit our Knowledgebase and Support Sharepoint Site

Yes if evaluation period expired you have possibilty to change the key in safe mode. After you change and activate Windows i sugested that use Windows 2008 R2 if possible. and aslo look the post from Dave Patrick . Before you begin the proces make a backup

Ahmet Abdagic Thanks for replying but almost every post you reply to you are marking both yourself and everyone elses reply as proposed answer. Please stop doing this as it is very annoying to both the original poster and everyone else involved in the thread. Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]

Ahmet Abdagic Almost every post you reply to you are marking both yourself and everyone elses reply as proposed answer. Please stop doing this as it is very annoying to both the original poster and everyone else involved in the thread. Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows]