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dkleeman2
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Cannot install VirtualCenter in evaluation mode

I am trying to install VirtualCenter without a licence file or a key. I think that neither is required. When I get to step 2 of the install it asks me if I have a license server and offers to install one if I don't have one (I don't). There is a box to enter the path to the .lic file but I don't have one - how do I proceed? It will not accept an empty box.

Daniel

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bridgepartners
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I think that this could be your problem. I think that the eval only works with SQL Express running locally.

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Troy_Clavell
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During the setup, it should ask you about a lisense server or give you the option to install using an evaluation. You are installing VC 2.5.0u1?

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weinstein5
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on that page there is a check box asking if you want install in evaluation mode - with it checked all those options will be grayed out -

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williamarrata
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Exactly, when you download the eval you will recieve a eval lic to enter.

Hope that helped. Smiley Happy

Hope that helped. 🙂
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weinstein5
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I do not think there is any LIC file that is downloaded - it is all coded into the vc software allowing for a 60 day eval period

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dkleeman2
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Thanks for the several helpful answers, but there is definitely no checkbox on this page (step 2). I am using 2.5.0 build 84782.

Daniel

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dkleeman2
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Maybe this machine has a ghost of an old VC installation on it that I am not aware of. How could I tell if this is the case?

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williamarrata
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Your correct, but when you download the eval of the ESX servers, thats the lic file your going to install into the lic server with your VC.

Hope that helped. Smiley Happy

Hope that helped. 🙂
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Troy_Clavell
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have you checked your services to see if there is any VMware services installed? You are using the most current build for VC and as part of the install process you should get the option to install as an evaluation.

dkleeman2
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I can proceed with the install if I give it a license file from elsewhere, but then (unsurprisingly) the VC server will not play ball and will not allow any hosts to be added. Nor will it go into eval mode from inside the interface. I am wondering if it thinks that this machine has an expired eval.

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Troy_Clavell
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if that is the case, you may have to do some registry hacks... Or if nothing else is running on your server that you are going to install VC on, I would just rebuild it. Or if all else fails, you might call VMware support

One other thing.. Run the install for ESX as normal, it will by default give you a 60 day eval. You could always bring up a VM on a stand alone host and install VC in a VM

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weinstein5
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I second reinstalling -

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dkleeman2
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I have tried the install on a completely separate box and I can see the check box for the eval. It does not appear on this server or another one that is similarly configured. They both have VMware Server installed - I don't know if this is relevant, but I think that I will have to give up on these servers unless someone knows what the missing ingredient is.

Thanks to all for the helpful advice.

Daniel

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Troy_Clavell
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why not consider using a newly created VM as your VCMS? You have an ESX 3.5 host built? If so, deploy the VM and build the OS, the install VC fresh.

IMHO, do not install anything on the VCMS, expcept for VC, and it's plugins, minus Update Manager. Whether or not you use a physical or virtual machine, it should be a fresh OS install.

If we got all your questions answered, can you mark this thread as answered?

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dkleeman2
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To close this question I would like to know what condition causes the server to not work in evaluation mode.

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weinstein5
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The only time I have seen VC not work in evaluation mode is when the check box to run in evaluation is not checked -

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dkleeman2
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This problem has now re-occurred on a completely clean build on a VM on a VMware Server host. It is becoming a major problem.

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Troy_Clavell
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Why are you trying to install VC on VMware Server? Please install VC on a clean Windows Server 2003 VM or hardware.

I think your issues are that you are trying to install VC ontop of an existing VMware product.

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dkleeman2
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I have installed it on a clean VM on a VMware Server host. This seems to be your advice above.

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bridgepartners
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Are you using the standalone SQL Express mode or a separate database?

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