Hi, I have installed windows server 2008 on a virtual pc 2007 and it seems ; when I try to activate it, it seems that automatic activation has been setup; I would like to activate it by phone, but I cannot : it must be online and I get an DNS error; is there any way to turn on the phone activation ? Thanks

If you shut down the VPC and then set the network settings to "local Only" and then boot it up, it will think that it is connected to a blank network. There should still be the little key in the bottom right corner. If you click it and run through the wizard, there should be an option for off-line registration. Let me know what you find,

Hi, As for the activation of Windows server 2008, please refer to: Microsoft Activation Centers http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/vol/numbers.mspx Also, you can 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. I hope this helps. Best wishes --------------Morgan Che Microsoft Online Community Support

Sven, Have you entered your product key yet? In my installations of Windows Server 2008, I typically am given 3 days before automatic activation. But since I am using a volume license version (MSDN/TechNet), it defaults to using a Key Management Server (KMS). I don't have one of these, so I have to enter my MAK product key. When I enter the product key, Windows immediately tries to activate. Since my test servers are behind a firewall/proxy server that uses basic authentication, the activation process fails. (Server 2008 activation does not work with proxy servers that support only basic authentication, so phone activation is my only approach.) Assuming you've entered your product key, you can manually run the Windows Activation Client from the command prompt. Issue this command and it will start the activation client in phone activation mode. slui 4 I hope this helps. Best regards, Matt

I was having a similar problem, and couldn't login to set the network settings so that I could actually activate. This article would have helped me http://www.petri.co.il/bypass-windows-server-2008-activation.htm

I tried this (Run > cmd > slui 4), but the region option on the first screen was greyed out, the only option Afghanistan. When I clicked on next I got the numbers and process for Afghanistan. Calling the Activation folks and Microsoft support has produced no joy yet.

Same thing happened to me. What you need to do is go ahead and call the activation line at (888) 571-2048 and read them the installation ID that is displayed.

If you lower your Internet Explorer Security settings and then run the command again, you'll be able to select all locations. To lower your Security Settings for IE on a Windows 2008 Server you'll need to open the Server Manager and select Configure IE ESC and then select off for either Users or Administrators, depending on what type off account you are using. Once you have don this you should then be able to run the slui.exe 4 command again and this time around it will give you the option to select your required country from the drop down menu.

Matthew H. Sawyer said: Have you entered your product key yet? In my installations of Windows Server 2008, I typically am given 3 days before automatic activation. But since I am using a volume license version (MSDN/TechNet), it defaults to using a Key Management Server (KMS). I don't have one of these, so I have to enter my MAK product key. Byfollowing these steps I was able to getmy servers activated. In Windows Explorer, right click on My Computer, choose properties. In the Control Panel\System Windows Activationsection click Change Product Key. Enter a MAK key (your MSDN/Technet subscription manager should have that) and follow the prompts. This change the Product ID and activated windows. "Apparently by default 2008 installs with a KMS and if your organization doesn't have one you need to change the product key to be that of your volume license."