SQL ServeAHHHHHH

Hobart

I know that this is probably staring me in the face but... I recently installed a 3 month trial version of SQL Server 2005. It covered my needs for a small RDBMS on the back of an accounts system, so I went and bought a number of user licences and a server licence from a reseller.

I got all the appropiate licence information etc...However, I can find nowhere on the trial version where I can install the licence key and convert the trial version to the full version. I've spent a couple of hours on the net and on the server looking, but nothing jumps out at me. Anybody any ideas?

thebman

Sometimes hidden in the about section of programs.

If it has a system tray icon, try right clicking and look for an about or registration. Ms use a key icon for this kind of thing usually.

They put it anywhere in programs, it's kind of ridiculous. I had to go to avasts website to find where to enter the bloody new registration key I had to get to update the definitions for the free version.

Static M.e.

Its been a while since I registed one (last Jan) But I seem to remember that it was under the help option. If you can't find it by tomorrow, drop me a PM and I'll have someone check it out for you

Ginger

Ok 2 ways to do this

1 - If it hasnt expired, just run the setup, it will identify the existing installation and run an upgrade check.If its possible just use the wizard and away you go.

2 - If it has expired, backup your dbs... uninstall SQL Server, then install the retail version.(you will need the media) See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914158 for details

Ideally what you should do, is backup your dbs, uninstall the eval and install a fresh instance of the new edition.

WARNING: Take all this with a good dose of BackItAllApFirst for your own sanity and keeping some expletives off the web

Hobart

Thanks for the replies guys, really appreciate it. A couple of things:

1) I don't reall see a help option anywhere on any of the utilities that come with SQL Server 2005.

2) I have no media, just the eval version and the licences.

I've read the link you put up Ginger, thanks. It looks like I will have to bring the system down for a couple of hours before I can get it properly installed.

TBH it seems like a bit of a hack if you cannot upgrade the eval version to the full version.

What I have done, in the interim, is found a bug in the eval version which seems to allow the server run beyond it's eval time.

~Once again, thanks guy's for your responses.

Static M.e.

Hey Hobart,

Ive asked around and what I can gather you have to get the Media and install it over the eval version. Bit of pain but you dont loose any info, as far as anyone knows thats the only way to do it.

Could very well be some sort of hack to get around but I think for dbs and such your better off just getting it right from the start.

Capt'n Midnight

Static M.e. wrote:

Could very well be some sort of hack to get around but I think for dbs and such your better off just getting it right from the start.

with NT4 server you had to use a hack because the official fix didn't work :mad: :mad: :mad:

moral - if you use a trial version of an OS plan for a clean install afterwards.