Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows Server Standard 2003 R2 SP2 32-bit for System Builders [Old Version]

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Please beware that you are buying OEM product not the Retail like on the picture -

I always get nervous about the legitimacy of a software bundle when it's sold at almost half the price but the product turned out to be fine and installed/registered/activated without any hassles. It includes 5 CALs. As long as you don't need a manual, the System Builders version is the way to go. Basically, you get everything you need without having to pay for the glossy box or the manual. Personally, I'd rather ingest broken glass than read a Microsoft manual but if you want to pay several hundred extra dollars for printed information you can read for free on the web, then be my guest.

My copy of Windows Server 2003 came in what appeared to be a legit OEM box. Disc's also appeared to be legit at first glance - they appeared to have holograms and a Product Key/COA sticker with a sticker thread through it.

On install the version of the disc did not match the version of the Product Key. On consultation with Microsoft it turns out I had received counterfeit (pirated) software. The COA sticker looked authentic but did not match those issued my Microsoft. Then looking closer at the discs the holograms were just a sticker rather than embedded in the disc. This was clever and well done, but the entire label could be peeled off with a fingernail. They also lacked the stereoscopic features on genuine Microsoft discs (I had some from another installation to compare).

I would caution anyone buying this software to check [...] to see what to look for in a legit product. I did call Amazon (got my money back) and have filed a complaint against my seller. However there are a lot of these illegal Chinese copies still available.