After much dicking around last night, I've figured a solution to my activation woes. I have a copy of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise (legal? no..), and I had to activate it. I could not logon (regularly, that is) unless I chose to activate. So, without further ado, here are the steps that will disable both the nasty timebombs in server 2k3 and activation.

1. Reboot or turn on your computer
2. Before the "Windows [version]" screen appears, hit F8 to access the boot menu. You should see before you a list saying 'safe mode', 'safe mode with console', etc. You want to choose 'Safe mode with console' (or the item with that general wording).
3. Log yourself in so that you have Admin rights (with Server 2k3 the default username is Administrator, so you're all set there)
4. A message may appear, something along the lines of "Because you're in safe mode, many features of Windows are either disabled or not working". Click okay and ignore.
5. You should now see a console (aka:command prompt). Type 'explorer' (no quotes) and hit enter. If you don't see the normal desktop (read: the start menu and such), then you did something wrong.
6. Apply your favourite crack.
7. Reboot in normal mode. Enjoy your free copy of Windows Server 2003!


** I'll post my crack sometime today, it works wonders ;)

(Who shares an ISO without the crack and instructions already on it?)

I have a little 32kb application that just makes all the nasty activation stuff cease to exist in XP and 2k3...

Posted by Chainsaw I have a little 32kb application that just makes all the nasty activation stuff cease to exist in XP and 2k3...

<nods> Patches/Hacks/Etc are completely legal in my country (including reverse engineering as the EULA does not apply to me as I didn't sign any contracts before buying the software so it's mine to do whatever I want).

I have several for XP and 2k3 (even though I don't use either OS except for my legal copy of XP on my laptop which I just let be activated since it wasn't any personal information, just sending the serial to MS - else I would've cracked it).

I assume I have the same 32k tool as Chainsaw does, so I won't list the name since he didn't.

Well thats it, another reason to move to Germany.

I'm gonna be installing win2k3 R2 in a few days. I tried once before in the summer. I had a successful installation but I always screwed up the winlogon.exe by applying the crack. Maybe this time I'll get it right.

win 2000 had an easy way to bypass serial entry, forget how but it was a simple change in a text file...i was amazed.

yah, and who shares iso's without it already cracked or without instructions?

Everything is free

Posted by kc win 2000 had an easy way to bypass serial entry, forget how but it was a simple change in a text file...i was amazed. yah, and who shares iso's without it already cracked or without instructions? Everything is free

Windows XP still does as far as I know, you just edit the setup textfile, just then you need to patch the WPA

Posted by Beryl Windows XP still does as far as I know, you just edit the setup textfile, just then you need to patch the WPA

I dont know why they bother with all this protection crap, someone always cracks it a few days later. Hell, with windows xp i havent had to do anything, everything was pre cracked for me.

Not that I support piracy in any way.... *cough*

I would use linux in a heartbeat, as open source software generally seems to kick ass....but everytime I try I am pushed back to my familiar windows where I know how to do every little thing.

nothing like full immersion. Install ubuntu on your primary machine.

Posted by seany nothing like full immersion. Install ubuntu on your primary machine.

Or Solaris 10, now that they've released it for free.