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8.4

SQL Server 2000 Upgrade: "Unable to Validate Product Key"

Asked by deane_barker in MS SQL Server

Tags: validate, product, key, unable, sql

I have a server running Small Business Server 4.5 (Windows NT / SQL Server 7 / Exchange 5.5). I have purchased the upgrade to Small Business Server 2000.  When I start the upgrade, it tells me that I need to manually upgrade SQL Server 2000 first, before doing the entire Small Business Server Upgrade.

I run set-up from Disk 2 (the SQL Server) disk.  I say that want to upgrade an existing installation, then it asks for the 25-digit Product Key.  Here's where the problem is:

I have entered this key FOUR TIMES, verified it letter for letter, and had other people verify it was typed correctly.  But the system simply tells me "Unable to Validate Product Key."

I tried doing a brand new install of SQL Server instead of an upgrade.  Same problem.

I plugged in a network cable, thinking perhaps it had to have connectivity to validate.  Same problem.

I shutdown the running instance of SQL Server 7, thinking maybe that was holding things up.  Same problem.

It simply will not take the Product Key.  I am typing it from the yellow sticker on the back of the SBS 2000 Upgrade CD case.  The only other 25-digit keys I can find are for Outlook 2002 and FrontPage 2002 (both came with the product).  Just for fun, I tried those as well.  No dice.

I checked the SBS 4.5 disk, think maybe it wanted to verify my old media.  No dice -- the Product Key for that version isn't the same format.

I have tried everything I can think of.  This is a perfectly valid and legal situation -- I have the full-blown copy of SBS 4.5, with all media, and I have purchased a copy of SBS 2000 Upgrade.  I have all media, all manuals, and -- presumably -- all Product Keys.

Can anyone give me any advice here?  I've searched the Net for that exact error message, and I've found some people having the same problem.  However, one guy just typed his wrong, and the other guy was have a problem installing to a certain OU.  My network is running on NT 4.0, so I have no OUs or Active Directory.

I can't find any Microsoft support options, except for the Professional Support, and they want $245 per issue.  I don't want to pay $245 for a problem that seems so fundamentally NOT my fault.

Deane
[+][-]11/29/03 01:36 PM, ID: 9843476Expert Comment

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[+][-]11/29/03 04:46 PM, ID: 9843990Expert Comment

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[+][-]11/29/03 06:07 PM, ID: 9844189Author Comment

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[+][-]11/29/03 07:11 PM, ID: 9844316Expert Comment

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[+][-]11/29/03 10:25 PM, ID: 9844633Author Comment

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[+][-]11/29/03 10:46 PM, ID: 9844673Accepted Solution

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About this solution

Zone: MS SQL Server
Tags: validate, product, key, unable, sql
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Solution Provided By: arbert
Participating Experts: 2
Solution Grade: A
 
[+][-]11/29/03 10:46 PM, ID: 9844676Expert Comment

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[+][-]11/30/03 09:20 AM, ID: 9845618Author Comment

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[+][-]12/02/03 07:11 AM, ID: 9858771Author Comment

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