Changing a key and activating a Win2003 Server without re-installi

[Guest Justin Admin]

I built a Windows 2003 Standard server with software we currently own

thinking I could (in the next 30 days) go out, buy another copy, change the

key, and then activate it as per kb918342. About two weeks after I built the

server I discovered a copy of Windows 2003 Server x64 that we own that is not

in use. Since it's an x64 OEM version the current server won't accept the

key, throwing a "The product key used to install Windows is invalid" message.

Before it gets asked - yes the key and software are legit, both purchased

from Dell as OEM, and no the license/key in question is not in use.

 

Is there a way to "brute force" the key in and then activate it without

having to do a reinstallation from the ground up with the x64 software?

 

Thanks for any assistance you can offer.

 

-Justin

[Guest Justin Admin]

RE: Changing a key and activating a Win2003 Server without re-installi

 

Bump only because I have to do something about it this weekend. Two days

left to activate :(