Hi everyone - I need your help!!

I downloaded the 180 day evaluation of Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard to test and have been using it now for a week or so. During this time Microsoft have generously offered it through the Dreamspark program, which provides an IMG file and product key. I asked Microsoft if the evaluation can be converted to a full version using the key obtained from Dreamspark, and here is their reply:

The product keys obtained from DreamSpark will work only with the product downloaded from DreamSpark site. You will not be able to convert the evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 R2 to the full licensed version with a key obtained through the Dreamspark Campaign.

I have also been told the opposite by a TechNet technician, who said that you can change the product key in system properties and re-activate Windows to a full version. It would appear that there is confusion here, so I thought I would ask if anyone has successfully converted their evaluation copy of Windows Server 2008 R2 to a full version using their dreamspark key? If so, I can use the evaluation DVD to perform an install without having to download another 2GB+ ISO file.

I sincerely appreciate any advice anyone can offer.

Many thanks,

Shane.

UPDATE - I have successfully activated the 180 day evaluation edition DVD using the Dreamspark key. Thanks xxcom9a for your help!

Okay, I activated my copy of Windows Server 2008 R2 (Evaluation Copy) after a clean install using a DreamSpark key via the Systems Properties "Change Product Key" link:

Before:


After:


So it seems that DreamSpark keys work, like AsciiWolf said in this post.

I think that it is better if you use the Evaluation DVD instead of the DS IMG as you can have 240 days free if you just need a copy for testing in a VM instead of creating new e-mails and then just getting rid of your VM when you are done testing, but it is always good to have one (main) copy activated with a product key. So you should activate your "main" copy of Server 2008 R2 using a DreamSpark key and then just use the actual Evaluation part if you need to test software in VMs.