You are prompted for a product key when you install Windows Server 2003 on a remotely administered system with a Winnt.sif file

When you install Microsoft Windows Server 2003 from the product CD on a remotely administered system with a Winnt.sif file on a floppy disk, you are prompted for a Product Key even if a valid Product Key is included in the Winnt.sif file.

When you install Windows Server 2003 from the product CD on a remotely administered system, the default installation mode becomes Express Setup. Express Setup processes the Unattend.txt file instead of the Winnt.sif file.

To work around this problem, create a copy of the Winnt.sif file, name the file Unattend.txt, and then copy it to the same floppy disk that contains the Winnt.sif file.

Note If you install Windows Server 2003 by using an OEM-supplied recovery CD and you are not using a Winnt.sif file on a floppy disk, the problem that is described in the "Symptoms" section of this article may still occur. When the manufacturer created the recovery CD, a Winnt.sif file may have been saved in the I386 folder or in the I64 folder. You must copy the Winnt.sif file from the recovery CD to a floppy disk, and then you must rename the file to Unattend.txt.

This behavior is by design.

For more information about Emergency Management Services, visit the following Microsoft Web sites: