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120 day trial now only 30 days? RRS feed

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    After having issues installing from my original WHS DVD, I decided to see if there was a NEW download.  I found it but it says the trial period is only 30 days now?

    I still have product keys from last summer from the CONNECT site - Q: will those work with the NEW WHS download software - and/or will I get the 30 days trial period or the 120?

    Since you are not required to Activate for 30 days (at least on the version I have on DVD) is there even product keys given out anymore?

    A lot seems to ave changed since the end of last summer...can someone provide me with the current situation.

    Primarily, I'm concerned with the 30 day trial timeframe...how can anyone truly test a product like WHS in only 30 days?  With the bugs I've had doing this latest installation...I'm not leaning towards purchasing unless I can ge a LOT more comfortable.

    Thanks
    Friday, February 19, 2010 11:16 PM

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    The trial period is indeed only 30 days. This is implemented through lack of product keys, as you've noticed, though even if you had a product key you'd still have the built-in time bomb to contend with. I believe the intention is to A) reduce issues associated with the distribution of product keys (there were several), and B) try to ensure that users will not commit significant data to a trial version of the product (given the reinstallation requirement). I really think that 30 days is adequate to determine if Windows Home Server will suit your needs, by the way, as long as you test it rather than just using it.

    As for whether your product keys for the PP1 trial will work on the new PP3 trial, I honestly don't know.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:29 AM
    • Marked as answer by Puulima Monday, February 22, 2010 4:39 PM
    Friday, February 19, 2010 11:35 PM
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    I'm wondering if I install the original PP1 and then do the updates...maybe it might stretch it out?

    No.

    So what's the best price going for WHS?  I see on Newegg and Amazon they are selling PP1 - is PP3 for sale?
    Yes, you can purchase an OEM license with PP3 already included from some online retailers (part number CCQ-00099), but, as working1 said, it's a free update anyway so it doesn't really matter.
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:29 AM
    • Marked as answer by Puulima Monday, February 22, 2010 4:38 PM
    Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:27 AM
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    Puulima, the answer to all of your questions is unfortunately "Microsoft hasn't said publicly." I can give you some reasonable guesses, however.
    1. "Windows Home Server codename 'Vail'" will be a new version of Windows Home Server. (That's a given, I think.) Microsoft is unlikely to give it to you for free, given that Windows Home Server V1 is an OEM product. (That's the guess.)
    2. I expect that you will be able to obtain updates for a period of time but (again) it's an OEM product and will quickly fall by the wayside. (That's a guess.) The core OS will continue to receive updates until it falls out of support, however. (That's a given.)
    3. There's nothing I can say specifically about Vail requirements, I'm afraid. However, if you're adventurous (and a bit foolish, speaking with my network security consultant hat on, because it can be rather difficult to determine the safety of leaked software) the leaked Vail preview will let you answer the question yourself.
    To determine whether your Dell 8400 can run a 64 bit OS, the best source of information will be Dell.

    In general, if anyone is thinking of updating your hardware wait until Vail is announced (with hardware requirements) before doing so. You will certainly pay less for the same level of performance in a few months, and if you buy now there's always the chance that early (leaked) information is wrong. You will, I guarantee, kick yourself if you underbuy just a little and have to buy a bunch of new hardware...
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Marked as answer by Puulima Monday, February 22, 2010 4:38 PM
    Monday, February 22, 2010 4:26 PM
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    The trial period is indeed only 30 days. This is implemented through lack of product keys, as you've noticed, though even if you had a product key you'd still have the built-in time bomb to contend with. I believe the intention is to A) reduce issues associated with the distribution of product keys (there were several), and B) try to ensure that users will not commit significant data to a trial version of the product (given the reinstallation requirement). I really think that 30 days is adequate to determine if Windows Home Server will suit your needs, by the way, as long as you test it rather than just using it.

    As for whether your product keys for the PP1 trial will work on the new PP3 trial, I honestly don't know.
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:29 AM
    • Marked as answer by Puulima Monday, February 22, 2010 4:39 PM
    Friday, February 19, 2010 11:35 PM
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    I'm wondering if I install the original PP1 and then do the updates...maybe it might stretch it out?

    So what's the best price going for WHS?  I see on Newegg and Amazon they are selling PP1 - is PP3 for sale?
    Friday, February 19, 2010 11:43 PM
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    is PP3 for sale?

    As far as I know, no PP3 for sale, but, you will get it by the updates.
    Saturday, February 20, 2010 12:12 AM
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    I'm wondering if I install the original PP1 and then do the updates...maybe it might stretch it out?

    No.

    So what's the best price going for WHS?  I see on Newegg and Amazon they are selling PP1 - is PP3 for sale?
    Yes, you can purchase an OEM license with PP3 already included from some online retailers (part number CCQ-00099), but, as working1 said, it's a free update anyway so it doesn't really matter.
    • Proposed as answer by kariya21Moderator Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:29 AM
    • Marked as answer by Puulima Monday, February 22, 2010 4:38 PM
    Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:27 AM
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    A few more related questions...

    In some googling...I found a references/articles on "Windows Home Server - Code Name VAIL" - here's a snipet:

    Enthusiasts who've built their own machines will be able to upgrade if the system is powerful enough: "Vail will be 64-bit only: we said that before we ever shipped the initial release of Home Server. If you want to repurpose an old PC, go ahead, but don't expect us to support it until the end of time."

    1) Will VAIL be an update if we've already purchased WHS or will it be something you have to purchase (again)?  I'm guessing that a switch to 64bit would mean it's a new purchase - and if that's the case, will there be a way to "upgrade"?

    2) Will the current version of WHS continue to live on as a parallel 32bit OS - and therefore be updated and supported?

    3)  I did a little research on my DELL 8400 and sounds like it may be able to handle a 64 bit OS - I know this is a bit off on a tangent from this forum - but how would I go about determining if my DELL 8400 can handle "VAIL"?

    And if it cannot handle the 64bit - back to Question 2) I guess?

    I've been away from the WHS scene for a while so appreciate any updates you folks can provide.

    Thanks
    sr
    Monday, February 22, 2010 3:50 PM
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    Puulima, the answer to all of your questions is unfortunately "Microsoft hasn't said publicly." I can give you some reasonable guesses, however.
    1. "Windows Home Server codename 'Vail'" will be a new version of Windows Home Server. (That's a given, I think.) Microsoft is unlikely to give it to you for free, given that Windows Home Server V1 is an OEM product. (That's the guess.)
    2. I expect that you will be able to obtain updates for a period of time but (again) it's an OEM product and will quickly fall by the wayside. (That's a guess.) The core OS will continue to receive updates until it falls out of support, however. (That's a given.)
    3. There's nothing I can say specifically about Vail requirements, I'm afraid. However, if you're adventurous (and a bit foolish, speaking with my network security consultant hat on, because it can be rather difficult to determine the safety of leaked software) the leaked Vail preview will let you answer the question yourself.
    To determine whether your Dell 8400 can run a 64 bit OS, the best source of information will be Dell.

    In general, if anyone is thinking of updating your hardware wait until Vail is announced (with hardware requirements) before doing so. You will certainly pay less for the same level of performance in a few months, and if you buy now there's always the chance that early (leaked) information is wrong. You will, I guarantee, kick yourself if you underbuy just a little and have to buy a bunch of new hardware...
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    • Marked as answer by Puulima Monday, February 22, 2010 4:38 PM
    Monday, February 22, 2010 4:26 PM
    Moderator