Hello, Back in January 2008, we purchased a server from Dell with a volume license of Windows Server Standard 2003 R2. We're preparing to virtualize this server soon, and unfortunately noticed that Dell preinstalled an OEM license on the server. How can I reliably convert this OEM install to my valid volume license? I've already downloaded the proper software and have the key ready. This is a production server with a few pieces of finicky software on it, so completely reinstalling Windows isn't a very good option for me. It's presently running SP2 and we hope to P2V this machine within the next week or 2. I've read some reports that suggest I boot from the volume license media and run a repair installation, applying the vol key at that time. However, I really need some assurance that this won't destroy my registry and all the delicate programs I have installed. Or if there's a better option, I'd love to hear it. I stumbled across some tools for this sort of thing on XP or Win7 the other day while Google searching, but didn't see anything for Server 2003. Thanks very much, John

For OEM to Retail, just search for wpa.* in the System32 direcroty and rename these two files. Then run %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a to change your product key. It works in a SP 1 a long time ago ... Never did it in SP2, but I don't know if your server is SP1 or SP2. Also you can try to upgrede to R2 again, using CD2 from the Windows Server 2003 R2 media an one valid R2 key. Esteban

Hello SecondCity, To convert running an upgrade rather than a repair would be better but there is no guarentee that this will not affect the installed applications. Thanks, Darrell Gorter This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Volume Activation documentation on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd996588.aspx VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Hello Esteban, that does allow the change in Windows Server 2003 to convert from OEM to Retail. renaming the files will change the machine from activated to non-activated, allowing you change teh product key, however the change is still limited to the same channel. You can change from one OEM to another OEM product key or from one Retail key to another Retail key. But this doesn't allow for a change from OEM to RetailThanks, Darrell Gorter This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Volume Activation documentation on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd996588.aspx VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Would I still upgrade, even though I'd be running the same OS version?

Thanks for the clarification, Darrell. I got excited when I saw Esteban's suggestion, but figured there'd be some kind of catch.

Hi Darrell I used the information in this KB when in a client I had to do something like SecondCity ask. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/912309 Windows Server 2003 R2 CD2 is not locked to any one channel. For example, a retail channel version of Windows Server 2003 R2 CD2 is identical to an evaluation channel version of Windows Server 2003 R2 CD2. If you have the Windows Server 2003 R2 retail product key, you can use the Windows Server 2003 R2 CD2 that is included with an evaluation version of Windows Server 2003 R2 to upgrade a retail installation. I'm sorry if the information that I interpreted was wrong (English is not my strongest skill) :) Esteban

Right, I had seen this KB article, as well. I was wondering if it really applied to me, however, since I'm already running R2, not the original version of Server 2003.

Hello, Well it's my article so if there is any confusion it's in the way I drafted the article. It's intended to indicate that the actual media for CD2 R2 is all the same, the differences are CD1, so it doesn't matter which channel for CD2 that you use. However the channel is determined by the Product key and media used with CD1, you are not changing them, all CD2 does is add the additonal R2 components. You still have to use the same channel product key, so this does not help with the situation. This doesn't allow you to convert from one channel to another, it only adds R2 functionality, the underlying OS is still tied to the channel that was used to install with by the use of CD1, that doesn't change at all.Thanks, Darrell Gorter This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Volume Activation documentation on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd996588.aspx VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Hm, back to the issue at hand, then. Since I'm already running R2 SP2, does the "upgrade" option really do anything for me?

Hello SecondCity, The upgrade option by running setup from CD1 of volume media, will allow you to enter a product key, when you do that it will change the channel to the media and product key being installed. This will remove any OS updates, they will have to be reinstalled. Drivers may have be reinstalled after the upgrade. the upgrade attempts to retain installed software, but there are no guarentees with that. Depending on the roles installed, some may migrate and some may not migrate properly.Thanks, Darrell Gorter This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Volume Activation documentation on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd996588.aspx VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Thanks for your assistance, Darrell. It sounds as if I'm up a creek without a reliable paddle, here, as there's nothing that guarantees my software installations stay intact. A simply question: why? With Microsoft's big push to the virtualization space, is this just a symptom of older software? Please tell me moving from OEM -> retail licensing in server 2008 isn't this constricting. I have to think I'm not in a minotiry of users on the planet who wish to move from one piece of hardware to another without losing their critical data...I mean, Microsoft is getting their money in licensing when all is said and done, after all. This all seems like a problem we should have seen in 1998, not 2005 and beyond (which, correct me if I'm wrong, was when 2003 R2 was released). Sorry for the rantish reply. Again, I appreciate your answers and what you've done to help. Honestly, thanks once again!!

Darrell... Thanks for the info :) Esteban

Hi John, I am in the same situation as you, needing to virtualize an Exchange server 2003 running on a Dell PowerEdge 2950 with preinstalled OEM Windows Server 2003 R2. Very upsetting to find out that there is no way to switch OEM to VL license. It's been a year since your last message, may I ask what you ended up doing? Thanks, Geediu

Darrell, I honestly think that you meant to say, "that does **NOT** allow the change... from OEM to Retail." Forgetting the word "NOT" completely alters your message.

A couple things on the above statement - it is sort of like "teasing" us - I mean, it is GREAT that you "CAN" do this in 2008, but would it really hurt you to mention ** HOW ** to do it? As in, "For example, just do xyz /a ..." Additionally, the above answer that you gave also begs the obvious question: "Can you go the OTHER way?" In other words, does Windows Server 2008 also provide the functionality to allow you to go from Volume License to OEM? You might say, "But, why would you EVER want to do that?" - it doesn't matter - it would be nice to know the answer - maybe we want to free up one of our Volume Licenses, because now we have a server with a Retail license with it, but we have the VL version installed, and we want to reinstall it, using the Retail key, since it's already 'legal' and paid for, thus freeing up one of our VLs for use elsewhere. Thanks - not complaints - just observations - so, please don't be put off by my comments.

Hello, For Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 you can change the product key from one channel to another. This was not allowed in prior versions of the OS. This statement does not apply to Eval media.Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Hello, Open an elevated CMD prompt and run slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx Yes you can go the other way from VL to OEM for instance. People ask how to do this all the time, they install using media from one channel because they do not have the keys available from the channel they truely want to use. They may be testing using MSDN and or TechNet and want to convert the servers into product machines. They may want to build up the number of KMS clients so as meet the minimum requirements for KMS to be able to activate the machines. They may want to centralize on using only one activation strategy for thier company. Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Hi Darrell, I just tried to change OEM > VL key using your advise: slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx It returned Error 0xC004F050 The Software Licensing Service reported that product key is invalid. OS: W2003 Standard SP2. The keys I'm supplying is W2003 Windows Server/ W2003 Windows Server Standard. Please let me know if you have any other ideas.

Hello itokman, There is no way to change the product key from one channel to another with Windows Server 2003 You would have to upgrade or do a clean installation to be able to change the product key from one channel to another with Windows Server 2003. Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Could one do the following... start with : server 2003 std oem upgrade to: server 2008 std VL, using server 2008 std VL software and key? exchange 2003 std and owa are installed and configured. We've bought all the license but don't want to reinstall and reconfigure exchange. Thank you!

Open an elevated CMD prompt and run slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx Yes you can go the other way from VL to OEM for instance. Hey Darrell, I have a Datacenter Server that came with a Dell server I purchased. It didn't come with 2008 R2 Std Ed Media so I used my Open License Media to install 9 2008 R2 Std Virtual Machines. When I type in the Virtual Key on the OEM sticker it complains and says I cannot use that Key for 2008 R2 Std. So my Install is not Activated. I do not have an OEM Key. I have a Open License Key (though not for this Customer) that I used to Activate the OS install then tried to use the slmgr /ipk to change the product key. It says for non-core editions I need to use the slui.exe. That just tells me its activated. when I use slmgr /dlv it still shows the OL partial Key. What are my Options? Thanks!

Hello, Use this site to get 2008 keys, the Datacenter keys are not going to install on Standard installation http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/downgrade-TC.aspxThanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Thank you for your reply. I have Ordered the Downgrade Kit, though I dont know when the Media Kit and License will be here, as it says 3-10 Days via USPS. Dell said they are Shipping out Next Day the Server 2008 R2 OEM Media. When I placed the Order I did use the Physical Key on the Downgrade website, should I of used the Virtual Key since I want to install VMs? The OEM Sticker I have is for Datacenter and has both a Physical Key and a Virtual Key. Are you saying that the Virtual Key that is on the Sticker will not allow me to Activate the Standard Edition OEM Media that Dell is shipping me? Just seems like OEM is a bad route all the way around... Thank you...

Hello, Other than the Hierarchical Volume License Keys which some can install on different editions, most keys just install on one edition. Datacenter keys will only install on Datacenter Standard keys will only install on Standard. Doesn't really matter whether they are OEM or Retail.Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en