Changing a SQL Server 2005 installed Product Key

Question

Is it possible to change a SQL Server 2005 Product License Key without reinstalling SQL?

We have two identical Dell servers that will be deployed by the DOD. Each server was purchased with a SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition license.

We installed and configured one of the servers. We took a ghost image of it and put it on the second server, renamed it, etc.

I'd like to put the second SQL 2005 Server license on the second machine. I'm hoping I don't have to re-install because DOD required a significant amount of work to lock down the server (hence the reason for configuring one box and imaging it to the other).

Is this do-able?

Answer 1

I agree. Speak to Microsoft and ask them what to do.

I assume DOD is 'Department of Defense' so you probably don't want to mess them around.

Answer 2

I spoke to MS Licensing this morning.

They told me that the only way to change the product key in SQL is to do a reinstall. It does not conform to the same licensing key model of Windows which uses registry entries to manage the product key.

That's a pretty awful answer, but it's straight from the horses mouth.

I guess you can't ghost a SQL Server install to another machine. Total bummer.