Installing Exchange 2003 problem

[musicroom]

Microsoft is full of crap. We installed Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 about a month ago. On that date we didn't need the component Exchange 2003, so we didn't add it to the installation, because we said to ourselves we could install it later.

Today that we tried to install the Exchange Server 2003 and it asked us for a CD-Key, so we entered the only cd-key we had of SBS 2003, and it didn't work. So we gave a call to the all mighty tech support of Microsoft and ask them what?s the problem with our cd-key.

The call went something like these:

Microsoft: "Sr. Thank you for your call, I understand that your problem is that you installed SBS 2003 without Exchange 2003, now you want to install Exchange 2003 and that your cd is not working."

Me: "Yes that?s correct"

Microsoft: "OK Sr., what you need to do is reinstall SBS 2003 Server again, so backup your data and reinstall the server and these time around put all the components you will use, then when you do these you will have all installed and no cd-key will be asked when it installs exchange 2003 because you already installed it."

Me: " So your telling me I can't add Exchange Server 2003 without having to reinstall SBS 2003 again?"

Microsoft: "Yes."

Me: "But the Server is currently in use, meaning I can't possibly stop the server for 3 hours, it also means that if I reinstall everything back I need to recreate accounts, permissions, and everything"

Microsoft: " yes."

Me: " So your telling me that I can't possibly install exchange after I have installed SBS 2003?"

Microsoft: "Exactly"

Me: "But why do you then ask at the time of installation of SBS 2003, if you would like to install exchange or not??

Microsoft: ?That?s the standard procedure, and you should had installed all components possible before hand.?

Me: ? Humm well its not at all convincing to me what you are telling me, and what about you handing me out a cd-key for exchange 2003 only??

Microsoft: ?That?s not possible, I can?t do that?

Me: ?OK so in conclusion, I need to reinstall SBS Server 2003, include all components possible because I can?t install them separately later.?

Microsoft: ?Yes that?s correct?

Me: ?Wow, thank you tech support.?

I don?t want to sound dumb or anything, but why in hell is not possible !!! Its just amazing. I?m really annoyed at the response, the comments and the solution they gave me. Its like me saying I bought a car and when I want to add the stereo I need to buy the car again, its just simply stupid.

I hope someone from Microsoft reads these and be ashamed of what have just happened, I?ve been with Microsoft since god knows when and they gave me the crap answer for 1 questions I had in about 15 years ? HUUUUU !!!

[fault]

Strange CDKEY issue... not that I've used SBS myself. Seems like this guy didn't have any problems?

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.p...e122370b721d935

[Mattimeo]

Wow...I can't believe what i'm reading. Not only do you have complete disregard to the product, your upset when it doesn't work!

Ok...with that said, let's fix your problem. When you go to Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs there should be an entry there Small Business Server 2003. You can select the Change/Remove button and that should put you into the wizard that lets you add the Exchange component. If it doesnt, post back what the results were.

Please use the software correctly...then complain. :blink:

[bobbba]

I think you can do it like mattimeo suggests as well