PRB: Changing Registry Key Causes Evaluation Copy Error MSG (203731)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 6.5
This article was previously published under Q203731

SYMPTOMS

After changing the "Registered Owner" registry key for SQL Server version 6.5, the following error will be displayed:
Fatal Error
The evaluation period has expired for this evaluation version of SQL Server

CAUSE

This error results from changing the Registered Owner registry key value.

WORKAROUND

There are two ways to work around this problem:
  • Change the "Registered Owner" registry key back to the original value .

    -or-
  • Use the information in the following article to rebuild the registry entries and change the "Registered Owner" through the setup program:

    142743 INF: Rebuilding SQL Svr Registry Entries After Last Known Good ID

MORE INFORMATION

To reproduce this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Install Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 or 7.0. When prompted for the Registered Owner Name use 'MS' without quotes.
  2. Use the Control Panel Services icon to stop the MSSQLServer service.
  3. Use Regedt32.exe to change the following registry key from 'MS' to 'TEST' (without quotes):

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\MSSQLSERVER\MSSQLSERVER\CURRENTVERSION\REGISTERED OWNER
  4. Restart the MSSQLServer service.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/3/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB203731
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.