Vcenter License still linked to dead vcenter server

[JeTross]

I have a vCenter Server 8 that crashed (will not start), and backup is corrupted (so unable to restore).  I installed a new vCenter Server 8 but when trying to add the ESXi hosts to the new vCenter Server I get an error saying there is not enough licenses.  When viewing the licenses in the new vCenter Server it still shows the licenses for each host and the old vCenter Server is shown.  How to I remove the old vCenter Server from the licenses to free them up for use with the new vCenter Server?  Keep in mind that i am unable to start or access the old vCenter Server.

[vel89]

HI,

before hooking the nodes to the new vcenter again, did you unhook them from the old one?

from the web client of the esxi node by right clicking on hosts you should see the option to unhook them from the old vCenter

then try to reattach them to a new cluster on the new vCenter

[JeTross]

Hi,

Yes, I selected "Disconnect from vCenter Server" before adding them to the new vCenter.  But it still gives me the error.  Is there a way to free up the licenses without having access to the old vCenter Server?