I just got an "Evaluation Copy" of W2K Server - it says "120-day limit on use" Explain to me, please

[MichaelD]

No, I didn't Warez it. A coworker went to a Microsoft free seminar on XP today; was held in a local Mariott hotel. Anyway, they were giving away software. He got a 4-pack with "trial versions" of:

1. WinXP Pro (the CD states on it about the activation, etc)
2. Microsoft Content Manager Server (no idea what that is)
3. Microsoft Sharepoint Portal Server 2000 (no idea)
4. W2K Server Bingo

It says on the CD "Evaluation Software 120-limit on use. Do not make illegal copies of this disc."

There is no CD-key printed on the CD (there's on the XP cd, however) Is there a "registry bomb" on this CD so that once installed it counts back 120 days and then fries itself or refuses to boot for you?

Any assistance either here or via PM is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[minendo]

My understanding is that after 120 days you have to acquire a key from MS to be able to continue using the software.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Is there a "registry bomb" on this CD so that once installed it counts back 120 days and then fries itself or refuses to boot for you?

Yes.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: minendo
My understanding is that after 120 days you have to acquire a key from MS to be able to continue using the software.

yep, it will just stop working. In NT, it would boot to a blue screen with the text "You evaluation has run out," i believe.

 

[Hammer]

I don't know about Win2k, but on NT 4.0, it will blue screen saying the trial is over and is expired, and on WinXP it won't let you logon, but surpisingly all the services still run perfectly.

 

[MichaelD]

Um, how can I carefully word this...

Once installed, is there a way to REGEDIT my way to blissful permanent installation?

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You did not word it carefully enough. Your original question was valid. This is the point where this thead gets locked.

Ask again, and you will also wonder where your membership went.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[Bluga]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Um, how can I carefully word this...

Once installed, is there a way to REGEDIT my way to blissful permanent installation?

Well Win2K is already cracked............

 

[Hanpan]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Um, how can I carefully word this...

Once installed, is there a way to REGEDIT my way to blissful permanent installation?

You did not hEar thiS from me

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Um, how can I carefully word this...

Once installed, is there a way to REGEDIT my way to blissful permanent installation?

Don't think you worded it carefully enough because your desires show through just fine . So what I'm hearing from you () is you want to know how you can evade a licensing agreement via a registry hack and run a trial/evaluation version without a COA?

No, I didn't Warez it.

But you're wanting to do effectively the same thing. Heh.