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How can I install Exchange 2000/2003 without supplying the CD key?
This video tutorial explains how mailbox availability is achieved in Exchange server 2010 and how the new and improved database recovery and storage features help organizations manage their Exchange environment better.
Watch and learn by starting this video here!You can configure Exchange 2000/2003 to install without having to manually enter the CD key during the setup process.
First, you should copy your Exchange 2000/2003 setup files from your CD to your hard drive.Find a file called Setup.sdb (which is found in the SETUPI386 subfolder). Right click the file, select Properties, and remove the Read-only checkmark. Now open the file to edit it.
Look inside your Setup.sdb file for a section called
[Product Information]
In that section, look for a line beginning with:
DefaultPid30=
If you cannot find such a line, insert a new empty line somewhere in that section, and paste the new value in the following format:
DefaultPid30=ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO-PQRST-UVWXY
Lamer note: Use your own CD key, the above string is just an example (you wouldn't believe the number of e-mails people actually send me telling me that the tip doesn't work...)
Save the file, burn the whole folder that contains the installation files to a CD.
That’s it! Now you can now install Exchange 2000/2003 without needing to supply a CD key during the setup process!

