Can I activate the 120 day WHS trial with a valid COA?

[mshan]

Can I activate the 120 day trial version of Windows Home Server with a genuine COA, or do I have to do a clean re-install using the Microsoft physical media?

 

[RebateMonger]

Activating WHS with a "permanent" Key requires that the full OEM version of WHS be installed. If you already have a WHS server installed from the Trial version, you have to do a re-install using the OEM version. This isn't a big deal and I've done it successfully several times. Done correctly, you don't lose any shared data or client PC backups.

Note that resale of opened WHS software is a violation of Microsofts EULA. Also, the EULA says you can't move the OS from one PC (or motherboard) to another unless the original motherboard has failed and the new board is the System Builder's specified replacement board.

The reality appears to be that Microsoft will probably allow re-activation on a new board as long as you certify that only one copy of the OS is installed. Further, it may well be that Microsoft's database has wiped out information about the original motherboard configuration because enough time has passed.

 

[mshan]

Thanks for the info.

Out of curiosity, does XP have same EULA terms, or is it just WHS?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: mshan
Out of curiosity, does XP have same EULA terms, or is it just WHS?

All OEM versions of Windows operating systems have essentially the same rules and that's been the case since Windows 95. The reason that folks started paying attention to the rules was XP's online Activation process.

OEM Windows is sold at a substantial compared to the Retail versions. In exchange, Microsoft doesn't support it and it's not supposed to be moved from computer to computer. A few versions of Windows aren't sold in Retail versions. That's usually because those OSes were mostly intended for professional installation, often on specialized hardware, and Microsoft wanted to make sure the hardware was properly chosen and tested so that the "Out-of-the-Box End-User Experience" was a good one.

OEM-only versions of Windows have included XP Windows Media Center Edition, XP Tablet Edition, XP Professional 64-bit, and Windows Home Server.

 

[mshan]

Thanks again for the info.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
A few versions of Windows aren't sold in Retail versions. That's usually because those OSes were mostly intended for professional installation, often on specialized hardware, and Microsoft wanted to make sure the hardware was properly chosen and tested so that the "Out-of-the-Box End-User Experience" was a good one.

OEM-only versions of Windows have included XP Windows Media Center Edition, XP Tablet Edition, XP Professional 64-bit, and Windows Home Server.

That's one reason that I've held off buying WHS. I don't want to have to pay MS twice for the same software, just because my hardware failed. It's a gargantuan ripoff.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
That's one reason that I've held off buying WHS. I don't want to have to pay MS twice for the same software, just because my hardware failed. It's a gargantuan ripoff.

Microsoft's EULA for OEM software allows re-Activation for replacement of any failed component, including the motherboard.

As I noted earlier, the reality is that MS' Activation database probably expires the old hardware information after four months anyway. But I've never tested that. No mattter what, re-Activation is a phone call away.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
That's one reason that I've held off buying WHS. I don't want to have to pay MS twice for the same software, just because my hardware failed. It's a gargantuan ripoff.

Microsoft's EULA for OEM software allows re-Activation for replacement of any failed component, including the motherboard.

As I noted early, the reality is that MS' Activation database probably expires the old hardware information after four months anyway. But I've never tested that. No mattter what, re-Activation is a phone call away.

For what it's worth, I've never heard of MS rejecting a reactivation request for WHS. It just doesn't make any sense for them to block it since there's no retail version.