SQL Server 2008 eval expired I have (more than one instance) some of my experiments with SQL Server 2008 eval (why eval --> brutal bureaucracy about using licenced version for testing or short life-cycle experiments), and after expiration I saved image of virtual, and now I want to start up some of them by using DataCenter licence, but this version doesn't allow me to reinstall or upgrade expired instance with options to hold system setting, users, linked servers or etc....

my questions:


Is there some version of SQL Server 2008 (ms-whatever didn't gave me an answer) that be able to start up expired eval?
Is there comment about uninstall and attach from File?
(maybe really stupid) Is it possible to un-install eval and install Datacenter by using some parameters from command line, or some 3rd. party tools for that?
You should be able to run the installer and specify the /SKUUPGRADE switch which will allow you to upgrade the existing instance.  There's a couple of reg keys that you'll need to blow away to get SSMS up and running on the machine, but those are documented in the MSKB somewhere.