I cannot log on to an SBS 2003 server after a Full restore/recovery - "Windows Product Activation" error? I've modified the registry per Microsoft Article: 312295, but, still cannot access?

Performed a Full Restore/Recovery from disk after "unknown:" system server failure? Was not able to Repair the O/S as suggested, so had to reinstall SBS 2003 on existing "C: partition"; Restored the "Full Backup" from disk (E: partiton on same server), then, re-booted to "Directory Services Restore Mode" to restore "System State". All was fine, until after the login; received the "Do you want to Activate Windows" prompt with choices of: "Yes, No, or Cancel". I chose to "Yes" to Activate over the Internet, but, it just "Hangs" forever and will not allow further access? I also rebooted several times choosig No or Cancel without any success either? Note: I did modify the registry setting per Microsoft Article: 312295, but, even after rebooting I'm still experinceing the same "Windows Activation" Error/Problem?
 
Hardware: HP DL145g2 (w/Two AMD 1.8Ghz DC Proc.), 4Gb RAM, HP 4/8 SATA/SAS Raid Controller (RAID 1), Two Seagate 500Gb SATA HDD (Jumpered down to only run at 1.5Ghz for HP Controller.) Microsoft SBS 2003 R2 Premium w/15 CALs, running Exchange Server; This is the PDC for the entire network of 10 users - have 2 other MS 2003 Member servers that are application specific.

Needless to say, we are not functioning today and I need assistance to resolve the issue.
Thanks,
ECSI06  
ECSI06Asked:
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Rob WilliamsCommented:
Can you get to the activate by phone option, rather than over the internet. If so, I would go that route. You will get a recorded voice that will walk you through it within about 10 minutes. This may get you over the "hurdle". Though I haven't seen it on servers I have seen it on workstations where phone activation will work when internet will not walk through the wizard.

Just to confirm, you do have the correct partition marked as active, and the boot.ini file points to the appropriate bootable partition? i.e. it is not trying to boot from the wrong partition (C:/E:)
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ECSI06Author Commented:
I've called Microsoft several times and tried to activate over the phone, but, its an automated system that disconnects your call if you cannot provide a Key from the installation screen (and cannot get to this point since it "hangs" after the login.)

I'll check the active boot partition later this morning and advise.
Thanks,


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Rob WilliamsCommented:
Yes, if you can't get to the window that displays the 100 character :-) key, it won't work.
Let us know how you make out with the other.
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ECSI06Author Commented:
Yes, are correct.
After posting a case with Microsoft I was advised that I missed a fews steps during the restoration process. Therefore, I had to perform the entire O/S installtion & restoration again including the following steps that ingnored on the first attempt:
These are the steps that I missed:
1.) I was suppose to Install the same Service Packs the I were installed on the server corresponding backup and not just the original media installation disk.
(In this case the Media was SBS 2003R2 SP1, however, I had downloaded & installed SP2 on this server.)
2.) I was also suppose to choose the "Windows Production Activation" after installing the O/S and respective Service Packs, but, PRIOR to the restoration from backup - which did not make too much sense to me since I was going to "restore the O/S" to its previous state from the back up disk.
Anyway, I re-installed the O/S and included these steps and was able to License the O/S; Now, I have encountered a differnet set of errors that will require a few registry modifications.
Thanks,
ECSI06
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Rob WilliamsCommented:
Thanks for posting your findings ECSI06. Good information to know.
Cheers !
--Rob
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