KB173346 - XADM: Upgrading Exchange 5.0 Evaluation Copy to Release Version

Article ID: 173346

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2006

Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q173346

SYMPTOMS

When you open the Microsoft Exchange Administrator program, you receive the following error message:

The promotional version of Microsoft Exchange server on SERVERNAME has expired. Users on this server will no longer be able to send or receive messages.

Users cannot send or receive mail.

CAUSE

The version of Microsoft Exchange Server installed is the 120-day promotional copy.

The promotional copy of Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0 is available on the Microsoft World Wide Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/).

RESOLUTION

Run the Setup.exe program from the Microsoft Exchange Server regular (not promotional) version and click the Reinstall option.

MORE INFORMATION

One way to check when a promotional copy of Exchange Server 5.0 is due to expire is to view an object attribute of the server properties.

WARNING: Using the raw mode of the Exchange Server Administrator program (admin /r) incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Microsoft Windows NT Server and/or Microsoft Exchange Server. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of raw mode can be solved. Use raw mode at your own risk.

Open the Exchange Administrator program in raw mode.
Select the Raw Properties on the server that you want to check.
Look for an object attribute called Promo-Expiration.

This attribute will show the date when the promotional copy is due to expire. The format is Universal Time.

If there is no Promo-Expiration attribute, the copy of Exchange Server is most likely not the evaluation version.

The Promo-Expiration attribute cannot be deleted or modified through the Exchange Administrator program.

Additional query words: trial version

Keywords: kbfix kbprb KB173346