How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

David Overton — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:13:03 GMT

Forbes,

Look for Activate in the start menu or right click computer in the start menu, go for properties and then you can enter or change the product key at the bottom of the window.

Thanks

David

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Forbes — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:31:25 GMT

I need to enter the purchased key but can't find where to enter it and it doesn't prompt me anymore for it. Stupid Microsoft tech site tells you everything except where to enter the key.

Thanks

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

David Overton — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:06:25 GMT

Jack,

When you install the downloaded trial, don't type a key intothe product. Then you can type the key into the activation tool when you get the key.

Thanks

David

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Jack — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:21:33 GMT

So, would a Business Open License key work (for sure for sure?). I need to get a server up and running and we are still waiting on the proper media kit.

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Shahnan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:55:07 GMT

Steven,

You can download the SBS2008 OPK Kit for OEMs. Gives you the same number of days trial.

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

David Overton — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:33:09 GMT

@Steven,

I can't promise for OEM, but you can enter a Volume License key into an eval copy to correctly license it. OEM has to be installed on the shipping machine, i.e. not after it has shipped, so there is no way to "license" OEM after the fact.

Thanks

David

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Steven — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:41:19 GMT

Hiya David, Some at MS are telling me that the downloaded SBS 2008 evaluation version cant be activated no matter what key you enter. Others are telling me that I need the full retail version to activate it? I did try an OEM key and that didn't work....What do you recon?

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Greg Sinclair — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:00:26 GMT

I've been searching for the above for some time as I want to use the trial SBS first which is listed as premium but when its time to purchase will only need the standard as we already have Server and SQL licences with Software assurance from Microsoft. That's great news that the premium trial can be made into a standard version just by entering licence key. I have every intention of purchasing but can't buy the English SBS in China so will wait until my next trip to Hong Kong. Unless its possible to buy the licence online without the box set - I can't seem to find out if this is possible.

David, I have just bought your book. May take some time to ship to China so working off the pdf right now.

I wondered if you'd had any experience with installing SBS 2008 on Vmware ESXi. It seemed to be absurdly slow even after allocating 6GB of RAM and 2 virtual processors (running an HP Proliant DL385 G2). This is the only way I have to do the swing migration from 2003 without forking out for additional hardware or committing myself to the premium edition just so I can get hyper-v. Once its done I could convert back to a physical machine if necessary but would like to continue using ESXi if possible. Would the hyper-v in the premium edition be any faster?

Plus would the swing migration work from 2003 R2 Premium to 2008 Standard. ie, do they both need to be premium editions?

Sorry if this is not the correct forum for asking questions like this. I tried the email address above but it bounced back.

Many Thanks.

Greg

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

David Overton — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:53:14 GMT

Mike,

You can do this. Yes.

David

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Mike — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:19:47 GMT

I only see an trial download for premium. Can I use this as media to install standard and then enter a standard key when we purchase it?

Please help, we need this badly!

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

David Overton — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:32:53 GMT

Ian,

enter a product key into the trial and you have a full version. It is as simple as that.

thanks

David

re: How long is the grace period on SBS 2008 (how long can you evaluate SBS 2008 without entering a product key)

Ian — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:27:01 GMT

Hello David's Blog...

Any advice on moving from the SBS2008 Trial Version to the full version?

Do you know if converting the trial version into a fully licensed version is supported buy installing purchased licence key codes? Or will the system require a complete new install?

Cheers.