SBS 2003 Server, activation error, any ideas??

[TTaz69]

Firstly, may I say Hello to all, this is my first time on here, first impressions are very good, keep up the good work people.

Now to my problem.

I have a client who has SBS 2003 R2 server standard installed on a Dell machine, it was installed 6months ago roughly, all activated ok etc, has been working fine until last week, at the server when you press ctrl alt and delete to log on, it comes saying the following:

Windows Product Activation:
This copy of Windows must be activated with Microsoft before you can continue! You cannot log on until you activat, Do you want to activate now? Click ok to activate.
Then:
Activation Window:
Windows is already activated, click ok to exit.
Then it takes you back to the logon screen.

I have called Microsoft, who basically deny this problem exists even though multiple sites confirm this can happen after updates etc etc.

Any ideas or is it a complete re-install, I normally remote monitor the server to check things running etc, now the backup has failed due to USB errors, its an External HD via USB.

The client computers are all working fine, send and recieve emails, documents, printing etc etc, just the problem exists on the server.


Thanks in advance

Mark

[popeye67]

Try this link

http://kbalertz.com/932442/Error-mes...ft-before.aspx

helped me once

[Boyce]

I seem to remember this error coming up before. I think it was suggested that the AV suite was altering a file on scan that was responsible for activation.

I'll have a trawl through the bookmarks and see.

Oh, welcome aboard!

[Fergal1982]

Seems interesting that it was 6 months ago. Are you sure it wasnt a 180 day trial version of the OS? After the 6 months are up, the servers start acting up (mine rebooted every 2 hours).

[Boyce]

Great link, popeye67 - rep left!

[TTaz69]

Originally Posted by Fergal1982

Seems interesting that it was 6 months ago. Are you sure it wasnt a 180 day trial version of the OS? After the 6 months are up, the servers start acting up (mine rebooted every 2 hours).

Hi mate, no it was'nt a Eval version, the software was OEM from a supplier with some hardware. HTH.

Will try the other solutions aswell.

Thanks
Mark

[TTaz69]

Thanks to Popeye and Boyce aswell

Mark

[TTaz69]

Popeye, thanks for the link, howver it did not do the trick, same messages appear when you restart.

Mark

[Sparky]

Couple of things to try.

1) Start in directory services restore mode and see if you can log on
2) Try a system state restore.

[TTaz69]

Thanks Sparky, that let me use the activation and its sorted for now, lol.

Need to ask another question now for UPS, this can be closed thanks

Mark