Microsoft KB Archive/922879

= FIX: Error message when you try to install SQL Server 2000: &quot;Unable to validate product key&quot; =

Article ID: 922879

Article Last Modified on 11/2/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Personal Edition

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Bug #: 444125 (SQLBUDT)



Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry



SYMPTOMS
On a server that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2003, or Microsoft Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 (SP4), you try to install Microsoft SQL Server 2000 by using the Volume License Agreement (VLA) media. When you do this, you receive the following error message on the CD KEY page of the SQL Server Installation Wizard:

Unable to validate product key



RESOLUTION
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:  In the SQL Server Installation Wizard, click Cancel. Start Registry Editor. To do this, click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK. Locate and then double-click the SafeDllSearchMode registry entry.

On a server that is running Windows Server 2003 or Windows Storage Server 2003, this registry entry is located under the following registry subkey:

On a server that is running Windows 2000 with SP4, this registry entry is located under the following registry subkey:

Note If the SafeDllSearchMode registry entry does not exist, create the SafeDllSearchMode registry entry as the DWORD value. In the Value data box, change the value from 1 to 0, and then click OK. Exit Registry Editor. Reinstall SQL Server 2000, and then install the latest SQL Server 2000 service pack.</li> Restart the server.</li></ol>

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STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.

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