By default, Windows 2008 will allow you to evaluation for 60 days, and use the following command to evaluate up to 180 days! Thats cool - all the research for sure be able to finish within 180 days - unless you want to use it for production :).
To do it?
- Click Start, run -> CMD.
- Type slmgr.vbs -dli, and ENTER to check the current evaluation period.
- Type slmgr.vbs –rearm to reset the evaluation period and then press ENTER.
- Restart the computer.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948472