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Help Upgrading SQL Server 2008 R2 from Evaluation to Standard

Answered Help Upgrading SQL Server 2008 R2 from Evaluation to Standard

  • Friday, October 12, 2012 12:58 AM
     
     
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    My name is Bill.  Here is my story....

    In April I was installing SQL Server 2008 R2 on my server at work.  I was upgrading from SQL Server 2008 R2 Exress, which I had outgrown.  I wanted to prove out some of the benefits I would get for my boss so I installed the Evaluation version.  During the installation the IT guy working with me had put the media in the server and I did the install.  It has worked wonderfully.  I have known the evaluation was coming to an end, but I also knew that the upgrade process was simple, so I have not worried about it.  During my install I saw that the product key filled in automatically, I guess from the media, but I changed it to evaluation since I had not paid for it yet.

    So, now I am running out of time.  I purchased the required license, actually a 2012 license, for which I have a certificate, but I don't have an activation key.  Nobody at work can find the installation media.  I need an activation key, I believe, to select the version of SQL Server I want to switch the evaluation version into.  Where do I find an activation key?  I've just shelled out a few thousand bucks for this thing and I don't want it to stop running on me.

    Thanks!

    Bill

    William Benton

     

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  • Friday, October 12, 2012 1:31 AM
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    Hello,

    Please try to contact Microsoft Licensing to see how you can get a link to download SQL Server 2012 media. If you bought SQL Server 2012 license but would like to install SQL Server 2008 R2 instead, ask them how you can get access to download SQL Server 2008 R2 media. Usually the media comes with the product key pre-pidded.

    To contact Microsoft Licensing you can call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. You can also visit the following site for more information and support on licensing issues:

    http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/mla/default.aspx

    Hope this helps.

    Regards,

    Alberto Morillo
    SQLCoffee.com

    • Marked As Answer by WilliamBenton Friday, October 12, 2012 3:35 PM
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  • Friday, October 12, 2012 3:41 PM
     
     
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    Thanks for you help, Alberto.  Microsoft helped me get the proper installation media with the key embedded in it.  From there it took five minutes to run through the wizards.  For those who may look this up later, here are the steps I had to take...

    I ran the installation wizard on the same server that had the evaluation version of SQL Server installed.  When I got to the screen that showed the license key I copied it to notepad and exited the installation wizard.  Then I ran the version upgrade wizard and when I got to the screen where I had to enter the evaluation key... IT WAS NOW ALREADY THERE!!!  Woo Hoo!  The key determined the version I was installing.  Then I went through the rest of the wizards and the upgrade was complete.

    Have fun!

    Bill

    William Benton

     
  • Friday, October 12, 2012 3:45 PM
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    Hello,

    I am glad you received all the required support from Microsoft Licensing.

    Thank you for visiting MSDN forums!

    Regards,

    Alberto Morillo
    SQLCoffee.com