HiFirst of all I am a programmer and not a system administrator. At home I have concurrently 3 to 5computers running, which will be more when my kids grow up. I have already Windows Server 2003 (32 bit) running for two years, but it was time to update, so I have installed Windows Server 2008 (64 bit) last week. I have installed Terminal and Printing Services, and a workgroup to ease on maintenance for me (remember I am a programmer). I have three problems so far.1.I want to activate the server now, but I do not get any activation message. Is it activated automatically? Or doesnt it need activation when the server is licensed?2. I want to use the license keys I got from Microsoft. I have already looked at the license manager, but I cant find my way in it. Can anybodey please help me out here? I just want to simply apply my license keys - nothing fancy.3. I want my users (me, my wifeand my kids) to have simple passwords, but the default of WS08 seems to be complex. How do I change the password complexity? I cant find any group policy or password policy manager anywhere. Is this because I have no Domain and only a Workgroup? Do I have to download this app separatly?I would appreciate detailed instructions which I can follow, because I dont want to spend another two days on system administration tasks...... Thanks in advance.

Hi Camiel,Thank you for posting here.Based on your questions, please see my inline answers:1.I want to activate the server now, but I do not get any activation message. Is it activated automatically? Or doesnt it need activation when the server is licensed?A:You can verify Windows activation status under the path Control Panel\System and Security\System.2. I want to use the license keys I got from Microsoft. I have already looked at the license manager, but I cant find my way in it. Can anybodey please help me out here? I just want to simply apply my license keys - nothing fancy.A: To apply your keys for Windows 2008 server, you can go to "Windows Acitivation" sectionin theControl Panel\System and Security\System. Then click "Chang product Key" to type the license keys you got.3. I want my users (me, my wifeand my kids) to have simple passwords, but the default of WS08 seems to be complex. How do I change the password complexity? I cant find any group policy or password policy manager anywhere. Is this because I have no Domain and only a Workgroup? Do I have to download this app separatly?A: To change a workgroup server's password policy, you can go to Start -> Administrative Tools -> Local Security Policy. Open the Local Security Policy, navigate to [Security Settings | Account Policies | Password Policy] to change password policy.Regards,Wilson Jia This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Thanks wilson for such a detailed description.In- line with wilson suggestion, i would like you to go through the below link for understanding more.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770394(WS.10).aspx

Hi both. Thanks for the fast and fine-grained answers. I have found the Local Security Policy, just as you said, despite my WS08 is Dutch, so the password problem is solved.WS08 is now also activated.But when I enter the ClientAccessLicenseCode in the ProductKey it of course complains that it is not a valid key. And WS08 is still complaining everytime I login as admin, that its missing a license server. I have only 110 days left before TS destroys it self ;-) Do I need a license server? Then, how do I get one? And wher the hack do I enter the TS CALs?BTW, I have two other problems concerning a working printer with an AVand the not-working silence mode of a green WD harddisk. Where do I post them? Here?

Hi Camiel, For licensing questions, I suggest contacting Microsoft Licensing Center for detailed explanation. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/contact-us.aspx please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.asp to find contact information in their locations.

Hi Sainath, I already found the setting for the missing license server. I have installed the role TS Licensing, and next I opened Start>Administrative Tools>Terminal Services> TS License management. After activation the license, the TS CALs would instal like a charm. The printer problem is also solved. Has something to do with 64 bit. I have used a Vista 64 bit printerdriver (which is after all alike WS08) and it works just fine. The obstacles for getting a good working WS08 are getting smaller and smaller. I am almost there... Thanx I have another problem which is also a show stopper. MS Word and all MS Office app's, say that "This version of MS Office Word" (or other) can not be used with Terminal Server. I have installed Office 2007 and all updates, and this installation performs just fine. Only the app won't work. Any idear?

Hi Camiel,According to your description, please check the following KB:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;924622also, more information about deploy the 2007 Office system on a Terminal Services-enabled computer.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179055.aspxBest Regards,Wilson JiaThis posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Thanks Wilson. It is obvious why it doesnt work. I'll use Office 2010 beta. It is as good as Office 2007, and no volume license key required.