“Windows 2003 Server, Small Business Edition: Spontaneous Shut Down”

The new server is great. Very fast.

The new operating system is not great. Windows 2003 Server Small Business Edition considers it a licensing violation if you do not set up the server as a Domain Controller in Active Directory.

I did not know that.

At first, it displayed dialogs on the other servers on the network, complaining that it (the new server) was not in compliance with the license. It didn't say why or how, nor did the system logs.

Last night, the machine shut down. Completely powered off. I had no way of knowing why, and assumed it had something to do with a bad UPS... yet it powered up again immediately upon request (the ISP hit the button for me). Then it shut down again a little later.

The system logs finally explained the problem:

The server was shut down because it did not comply with the EULA. For more information, contact Microsoft.

OK, Microsoft. Just as you knew you would... you win. I've reinstalled Active Directory and restored the domain forest and dns and all the other junk I didn't need on this server.

All I need is an operating system to run Conversant. None of the extra junk in this crazy platform. Grr.