Recently i undertaken a project of configuring domain in a office. I purchased original windows server 2008 server standard addition Retail license with 5 CAL licenses. But i misplaced my windows media dvd of server 2008. So could not find it. I downloaded windows server 2008 from torrent website piratebay.org and installed it on client's Server. Now when i try to install license and activate windows online with the purchased license it gives error. So i could not activate it. The installed server 2008 has OEM license on it , i don't now how it happened. I need to install Original retail license that i purchased for it and i can not re install it on that server because all the production softwares of the company are on this domain controller and are running in production environment. How to convert OEM License of server 2008 standard edition to Retail License . This Licensing is big issue. I should have studied it before purchasing and installation. Is there any who can help me out of this situation. with regards, mike.

For licensing questions, I suggest contacting Microsoft Licensing Center for detailed explanation. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/contact-us.aspx For licensing questions, please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.asp to find contact information in their locations Thanks

For licensing questions, I suggest contacting Microsoft Licensing Center for detailed explanation. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/contact-us.aspx For licensing questions, please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.asp to find contact information in their locations Thanks

Hi Mike, You are in either one of the below scenario: A. If you downloaded a cracked version, then i'm afraid that you will need to re-setup everything. A cracked version contains modified system files which if you input even a valid key, it will not accept it. B. Also, an OEM windows and a retail Windows have different licensing hardcoded in it. Either way, technically speaking, you will need to re-setup everything. However, you may want to try asking Microsoft Licensing to see if they can help you from a licensing perspective (perhaps give you an OEM key).Jabez Gan [MVP] - http://www.msblog.org Contributing Author for: (Sybex) MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-643

Hi Mike, You are in either one of the below scenario: A. If you downloaded a cracked version, then i'm afraid that you will need to re-setup everything. A cracked version contains modified system files which if you input even a valid key, it will not accept it. B. Also, an OEM windows and a retail Windows have different licensing hardcoded in it. Either way, technically speaking, you will need to re-setup everything. However, you may want to try asking Microsoft Licensing to see if they can help you from a licensing perspective (perhaps give you an OEM key).Jabez Gan [MVP] - http://www.msblog.org Contributing Author for: (Sybex) MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration Study Guide: Exam 70-643

Hi all, Thanks very much for your valuable replies. Actually when i downloaded the ISO image from torrent and installed on the server, it showed me this message: Volume_kmsclient channel 3days remaining for activation.......... "Volume Licensed" When i tried to insert my purchased license, it gave me error. I think this is volume licensed version of windows server 2008 server edition and i had retail licensed key for activation. I tried thousand times to activate this server windows online with microsoft with my purchased license. On the last day of windows activation period , i expressed with regret that i cracked it with a software downloaded from torrent site. Now its showing Oem version on server and activated. But i want to install my purchased retail license key on that server. If a crack can activate a Volume Licensed windows to Oem Licensed Windows, then why i can not put my original key on that server. I think you have not experienced that in your work but i noticed that crack can activate any server 2008 edition to OEM. So there will be an option to change OEM License to Windows Retail License. Plz guide me again. mike

mike This was message after querying License from command prompt