Windows product activation, has anyone...

[mcsooper]

Here is the situation.

I have two terminal services running on Win2K that came with our Dell boxes (OEM licensed). Obviously when you convert a physical machine to a virtual machine WPA kicks in, in this instance it happens right away.

The question:

Has anybody, or is it even possible, to apply a retail or volume license key at the WPA screen even though the install was off an OEM CD? I've got an e-mail into Microsoft asking them, but hopefully somebody here has run into this situation.

Thanks,

Michael

[TomHowarth]

unfortunately you are out of luck, a retail/volume key cannot be used in an OEM environment. OEM licenses die with the hardware that is was installed on, therefore you will be in transgression of your EULA

Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator

[mcsooper]

I'm aware that the OEM license dies with the machine, I was just hoping that there was a tool to allow me to convert the licensing from OEM to retail before the conversion or if it's possible post coversion, during the WPA process, to input a retail product key and get a new activation code with the microsoft support rep.

[TomHowarth]

from a quick Google search I found this

It may be useful

Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator

[TomHowarth]

Also useful

Tom Howarth

VMTN User Communities Moderator

[mcsooper]

Thanks, the but the first link is only for a fresh install and the second link states that it will not work for OEM versions.

[TomHowarth]

I have found lots of information on how to change the Product ID but no information on how to change the product type, I think that other that an "UPGRADE" I think you are our of luck

Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Either way, if you could change the license key to be non-OEM you would be in violation of your EULA and you really do not want that from a Legal perspective. I think it is time to get new licenses. I would talk to Dell, perhaps they can help legally.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[TomHowarth]

Agreed, you would definately require new Licenses for your Servers, but it would be nice to be able change if the Legalities are on the straight and narrow without the requirement to rebuild

Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator

[mcsooper]

I know I need new licenses! That is why I'm asking if I can apply a new non-oem key to an OEM install. I'm just trying to avoid a rebuild while keeping everything kosher. The servers are running software that would need to be reinstalled by our vendor who constantly try to rip us off.

I wrote to Microsoft's support and that got me no where but a link to a KB article I've already read and the number to the activation center which other than getting an activation code is totally useless.

[kharbin]

We see this alot on our P2V side of the house. I just usually have customer call M$ and tell them they added RAM and swapped out the video card and now wants reactivation (don't mention VMware). Hold a minute or two and they give a new activation key. Usually painless process.

Now customer is running and they can migrate the machine to a proper license on their own schedule rather than M$ schedule which forces unplanned downtime of a production server. Even though its running again, you do need to plan to migrate to properly licensed host, otherwise you'll be in same boat again if you make any major change to VM, example, you decide 1GB RAM not enough and change to 4GB, this will force you to reactivate again.

ken harbin

[mcsooper]

After some reading and finding commercial products that will change CD keys it appears this is not possible at all. Looks like I will have to do a rebuild.