We've recently absorbed a small company who had a Dell PowerEdge server running SBS 2003. For some reason, the hard disks have been wiped. We have the product key though from the sticker on the side of the case but not the installation media:

Win SBS Std 2003 1-2 CPU 5-CAL OEM software

• An admin wants to know if there is a way to change the activation code for a Windows Server 2003.
• NEED MICROSOFT 2003 PRODUCT KEY---im 13 and need it for school--. > > MS Windows 2003 Small Business s/n:BBGC6-TXDG9-J9CDW-JXK3R-GTMMB > > > > Hopefully one of these will work! > > > > Frau Himmel. Does anyone have a microsoft 2003 small business server product key? I can't find mine and the one posted on here doesn't work.

Checking whether product key will work with SBS 2003. Ask Question 2. We've recently absorbed a small company who had a Dell PowerEdge server running SBS 2003. For some reason, the hard disks have been wiped. Can't use Windows Server 2003 Dell serial key with normal Windows Server 2003 Standard Cds.

Windows Small Business

We do have a Dell labelled set of four CDs labelled SBS 2003 in our store and I've built a VM from this media but it doesn't prompt for the product key during install.

Is there any way to ascertain whether this media will work with this product key without going through activation? I know one can activate several times but would prefer to check we've got the right media before doing this.

Thanks, Rob.

Jim BRob NicholsonRob Nicholson

3 Answers

It turns that that the media I found for Dell SBS doesn't need a product key or activation when it's running on Dell hardware so it was a non-problem in the end.

Rob NicholsonRob Nicholson

Windows Server Small Business

It should be all set but the only sure way I am aware of is to go through activation.

Jim BJim B

I've found a way to do this:

1. Build VM but don't add a network card
2. Install without product key
3. Try to activate but without a network card it fails
4. You can change the product key at this point before telephone activation
5. If you enter a bad product key it says so
6. If you enter a good product key, you get an installation ID

I'm therefore kind of assuming that as it's accepted the key, it's passed the internal checks to make sure it's the right kind of key for the media.

So time to rebuild the server...

Rob NicholsonRob Nicholson

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1. Click on Start button.
2. Click on Run.
3. Type regedit into the Run text box and press Enter.
4. Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWPAEvents
5. Note: From this step onward, the cracking process must be performed as quickly as possible, as it hacks activation stuff and Windows may change back the setting if there is a delay of more than few seconds.
Locate a string value named OOBETimer.
6. Right-click on OOBETimer, and click on Modify.
7. Change the value to FF D5 71 D6 8B 6A 8D 6F D5 33 93 FD.
Activation OOBETimer
8. Click on OK.
9. Right-click on WPAEvents and select Permissions?.
10. Click on Advanced button.
11. Uncheck the check box for Inherit from parent the permission entries that apply to child objects. Include these with entries explicitly defined here.
12. Click on Apply.
13. When prompted, click COPY.
14. From there, highlight the SYSTEM line, and click Edit.
15. Choose the Deny option to ban all users from accessing and editing the key.
16. Click on OK.
17. Reboot the computer.
After the hack, Windows Home Server should run completely as a free copy, with users able to access Windows Update to get latest hotfixes and patches. The crack does not require BIOS mod.
To verify that the activation crack works after restarting the system, go to Start -> All Programs -> Activate Windows. The dialog should say Windows is already activated. Alternatively, go to Start -> Run and type oobe/msoobe /a.
Note: Some users reported that the method does not actually remove the activation grace period, even though it makes the system activated.