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Hi,
We have a number of servers running 2003 R2 SP2, OEM licenced. I need to be
able to convert these machines to virtual machines, but can't as the licence
requires activation again as soon as the VM is started.
I have a VLK to avoid this issue going forward, but I'm still left with
these machines on the OEM licence.
Is there a way I can change the licence type on these servers from OEM to
VLK without having to completely reinstall the systems?
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"Kevin.Strange" <KevinStrange[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A9AC914E-154F-46A5-8694-4EAD7C7055C6[ at ]microsoft.com...
[Quoted Text] > Hi,
> We have a number of servers running 2003 R2 SP2, OEM licenced. I need to
> be
> able to convert these machines to virtual machines, but can't as the
> licence
> requires activation again as soon as the VM is started.
Then just reactivate them,...problem solved
> I have a VLK to avoid this issue going forward, but I'm still left with
> these machines on the OEM licence.
>
> Is there a way I can change the licence type on these servers from OEM to
> VLK without having to completely reinstall the systems?
No, you have to reinstall.
If you have the VLKs to prove your "legal right" to move the OS to other
hardware,...it really doesn't matter what Key the OS is running under. But
if for some reason you have to reinstall them at a later time then use the
VLK then.
--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com
The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------
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OK - thanks for the confirmation Phillip.
"Phillip Windell" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > "Kevin.Strange" <KevinStrange[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A9AC914E-154F-46A5-8694-4EAD7C7055C6[ at ]microsoft.com...
> > Hi,
> > We have a number of servers running 2003 R2 SP2, OEM licenced. I need to
> > be
> > able to convert these machines to virtual machines, but can't as the
> > licence
> > requires activation again as soon as the VM is started.
>
> Then just reactivate them,...problem solved
>
> > I have a VLK to avoid this issue going forward, but I'm still left with
> > these machines on the OEM licence.
> >
> > Is there a way I can change the licence type on these servers from OEM to
> > VLK without having to completely reinstall the systems?
>
> No, you have to reinstall.
> If you have the VLKs to prove your "legal right" to move the OS to other
> hardware,...it really doesn't matter what Key the OS is running under. But
> if for some reason you have to reinstall them at a later time then use the
> VLK then.
>
> --
> Phillip Windell
> www.wandtv.com
>
> The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
> or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
> -----------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
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A complete re-installation is not necessary as it will wipe all existing
settings and programs from the current OS. In order to covert an OEM license
to a VLK license,
-Insert your VLK Windows Installation CD
-Continue through the setup until it detects another Windows Installation
and then choose to repair the desired conversion.
-During the setup, it will ask you for your VLK license key. Then once that
is complete, simply reboot the machine and continue operations as usual.
This will allow you to convert the Physical box to a Virtual Machine. We are
still testing this at our organization to ensure that it doesn't alter core
windows services and components (Such as DNS, DCHP, Active Directory, Etc.).
We are also installing applications with data (Such as Rosetta Stone, etc) to
see if any alterations or program conflicts occur during this process. I will
post the results once testing is complete.
*NOTE: our testing is with Dell OEM Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition and
Windows Server 2003 VLK Standard Edition. I would recommend backing up data
preceding this process to ensure that program conflicts do not render your
organization un-operational.
Thanks,
Jeff
"Kevin.Strange" wrote:
[Quoted Text] > Hi,
> We have a number of servers running 2003 R2 SP2, OEM licenced. I need to be
> able to convert these machines to virtual machines, but can't as the licence
> requires activation again as soon as the VM is started.
>
> I have a VLK to avoid this issue going forward, but I'm still left with
> these machines on the OEM licence.
>
> Is there a way I can change the licence type on these servers from OEM to
> VLK without having to completely reinstall the systems?
>
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