VM server
Hi Guys,
I have moved a Dell server with with a windos OS on to my VM server when I start the server up it is asking for the activation key. When I put the activation key in it will not accept it I have contacted Microsoft and they cant fined any sign of the key in there system. The server was preloaded by Dell and I think that is were the problem emanates from. I have also supplied Microsoft with a number of license keys that can be used but I have the same problem can anyone help.
Software/Hardware used:
Software/Hardware used:
ASKED:
April 7, 2009 10:43 AM
UPDATED:
April 8, 2009 2:22 PM
Answer Wiki:
let me understand better: you are using a DELL OS CD to make a Virtual machine or what? Did you try a physical to virtual conversion with VMWare converter?
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Your CD key is probably an OEM which only works with the hardware it came installed on. If you move the OS to a virtual server, you need to purchase an Open OS license to activate it. Consider a Datacenter edition license which will give you unlimited Virtual server installations for a single virtual server host.
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Hi, I used a converter to transfer the server to a external disk then connected the external disk to the host VMserver. The tranfered server starts up but then I am asked to input the verification number.
I’ve answered the question. It is the second part of the answer above. You need to get a new license key. Microsoft OEM licenses do not transfer which means you can only use that CD key for the hardware that it came installed on.
Mshen is right, the OEM version, in this case DELL, is tied to the hardware, actually the BIOS of the DELL server hardware. If it were a volume key instead this would not have happened. This is how DELL (and Microsoft) prevents you from being able to use their OS CD to install windows on some other system. You need a volume license or non-OEM license.