Virtualization migration, OEM license no longer valid

I have a server that was loaded with an OEM license for Windows Server2003
Web edition, and am converting it to a virtual machine. When doing so, the
server requires re-activation, and the OEM license is not valid. I have a
Windows server Datacenter license to cover my VM host and guests, but want to
know how to either activate the OEM license on the guest, or apply my
datacenter license (while not fundamentally changing the guest).

Hello David,

Datacenter is not webedition, so it will not work. Also you can not upgrade
from web edition to datacenter.

Q. What are the licensing considerations in a virtual machine environment?
A. For information about licensing in a virtual machine environment, download
the licensing brief Licensing Microsoft Windows Server and Other Microsoft
Server Software for Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 or Other Virtual Machine
Environment (Microsoft Word file, 307 KB).

Q. Can I move an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) license for Microsoft
Windows Server to a virtual machine into another virtual machine? How is
the situation handled?
A. You may not transfer OEM server licenses from the original machine to
a different machine. Any Microsoft Windows Server license that is preinstalled
on a new computer from an OEM or that you acquire through any Microsoft Volume
Licensing program is tied to the computer on which the licensed software
is first installed. This applies to the initial copy that is installed on
the computer and to any subsequent copies that are licensed to run with virtual
machine software.

Also see:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/h...ation/faq.mspx

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...whitepaper.doc

So in my opinion there ios no way to move the OEM to another hardware even
if virtual. If the VM stay on the SAME hardware, it should be possible. To
make usre contact MS or your license vendor, he should know it correct.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> I have a server that was loaded with an OEM license for Windows
> Server2003 Web edition, and am converting it to a virtual machine.
> When doing so, the server requires re-activation, and the OEM license
> is not valid. I have a Windows server Datacenter license to cover my
> VM host and guests, but want to know how to either activate the OEM
> license on the guest, or apply my datacenter license (while not
> fundamentally changing the guest).
>

Hi,

Thank you for posting here.

According to your description, I understand you would like to virtualize an
OEM Windows Server 2003 Web Edition and have some questions about
licensing. If I have misunderstood the problem, please don't hesitate to
let me know

I agree with Meinolf, it basically should not work. However, in order to
get more detailed information, 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. They may provide workaround for this
problem.

Regards,
Mervyn Zhang
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Hi,

Do you need any other assistance? If there is anything we can do for you,
please let us know.

Regards,
Mervyn Zhang
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Hi Mervyn,

I think I have a similar situation as David...

I converted my physical Windows 2003 Server to a VMware Image.

After loggin a new activation is required ... still no problem...

Installation ID is not valid anymore... ok.

Change Product Key... and now the "strange story" starts.

I want to enter my product key: "PBTYW-...." But some keys are not working???

e.g. "B" or "Y". So I cannot enter the product key :-(

Keyboard works fine at GINA login...

Any idea how to solve this?

thx
michael



"Mervyn Zhang [MSFT]" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Do you need any other assistance? If there is anything we can do for you,
> please let us know.
>
> Regards,
> Mervyn Zhang
> Microsoft Online Community Support
>
> ==================================================
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
>

Small correction: "P" key is not working and not "B" ;-)

As the server is used in a lab installation, is it possible to migrate to a
technet product key?

michael

"Michael" wrote:

> Hi Mervyn,
>
> I think I have a similar situation as David...
>
> I converted my physical Windows 2003 Server to a VMware Image.
>
> After loggin a new activation is required ... still no problem...
>
> Installation ID is not valid anymore... ok.
>
> Change Product Key... and now the "strange story" starts.
>
> I want to enter my product key: "PBTYW-...." But some keys are not working???
>
> e.g. "B" or "Y". So I cannot enter the product key :-(
>
> Keyboard works fine at GINA login...
>
> Any idea how to solve this?
>
> thx
> michael
>
>
>
> "Mervyn Zhang [MSFT]" wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > Do you need any other assistance? If there is anything we can do for you,
> > please let us know.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Mervyn Zhang
> > Microsoft Online Community Support
> >
> > ==================================================
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> >
> >

Hello michael,

Did you install the VM additions on the VM, to get full compatible VM drivers
also for the keyboard?

You can not use OEM software to install another liecensed version like Technet,
MSDN or volume license as far as i know.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> Small correction: "P" key is not working and not "B" ;-)
>
> As the server is used in a lab installation, is it possible to migrate
> to a technet product key?
>
> michael
>
> "Michael" wrote:
>
>> Hi Mervyn,
>>
>> I think I have a similar situation as David...
>>
>> I converted my physical Windows 2003 Server to a VMware Image.
>>
>> After loggin a new activation is required ... still no problem...
>>
>> Installation ID is not valid anymore... ok.
>>
>> Change Product Key... and now the "strange story" starts.
>>
>> I want to enter my product key: "PBTYW-...." But some keys are not
>> working???
>>
>> e.g. "B" or "Y". So I cannot enter the product key :-(
>>
>> Keyboard works fine at GINA login...
>>
>> Any idea how to solve this?
>>
>> thx
>> michael
>> "Mervyn Zhang [MSFT]" wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Do you need any other assistance? If there is anything we can do for
>>> you, please let us know.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Mervyn Zhang
>>> Microsoft Online Community Support
>>> ================================================== This posting is
>>> provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>>>

"Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
news: .com...
> Hello michael,
>
> Did you install the VM additions on the VM, to get full compatible VM
> drivers also for the keyboard?
>
> You can not use OEM software to install another liecensed version like
> Technet, MSDN or volume license as far as i know.


I agree, the PID bits are not interchangeable between OEM, Technet, MSDN or
VL. Each are unique to their respective media.


--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum to benefit from collaboration
among responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.

Ace Fekay, MCT, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging
Microsoft Certified Trainer

http://twitter.com/acefekay

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

I installed VM Tools but that did not help either...

actually the Windows installation itself is not that important BUT the
data which is stored on the harddisk of the virtual machine. I have a backup
of almost everything... but still some files missing....
As I cannot do anything except activating windows after login I have no
access to them anymore.

Is there a way of postponing the activation to rescue the files?

As I own a legal version of windows server 2003 which is installed on the
same hardware I think I should have the right to run a working OS...?

thx
michael




"Ace Fekay [MCT]" wrote:

> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
> news: .com...
> > Hello michael,
> >
> > Did you install the VM additions on the VM, to get full compatible VM
> > drivers also for the keyboard?
> >
> > You can not use OEM software to install another liecensed version like
> > Technet, MSDN or volume license as far as i know.
>
>
> I agree, the PID bits are not interchangeable between OEM, Technet, MSDN or
> VL. Each are unique to their respective media.
>
>
> --
> Ace
>
> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
> confers no rights.
>
> Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum to benefit from collaboration
> among responding engineers, and to help others benefit from your resolution.
>
> Ace Fekay, MCT, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging
> Microsoft Certified Trainer
>
> http://twitter.com/acefekay
>
> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
> check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.
>
>
>

Hello michael,

Start the VM with a boot disk like BartPe. SOoyou can access the data.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
** Please do NOT email, only reply to Newsgroups
** HELP us help YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> I installed VM Tools but that did not help either...
>
> actually the Windows installation itself is not that important BUT
> the
> data which is stored on the harddisk of the virtual machine. I have a
> backup
> of almost everything... but still some files missing....
> As I cannot do anything except activating windows after login I have
> no
> access to them anymore.
> Is there a way of postponing the activation to rescue the files?
>
> As I own a legal version of windows server 2003 which is installed on
> the same hardware I think I should have the right to run a working
> OS...?
>
> thx michael
>
> "Ace Fekay [MCT]" wrote:
>
>> "Meinolf Weber [MVP-DS]" <meiweb(nospam)@gmx.de> wrote in message
>> news: .com...
>>
>>> Hello michael,
>>>
>>> Did you install the VM additions on the VM, to get full compatible
>>> VM drivers also for the keyboard?
>>>
>>> You can not use OEM software to install another liecensed version
>>> like Technet, MSDN or volume license as far as i know.
>>>
>> I agree, the PID bits are not interchangeable between OEM, Technet,
>> MSDN or VL. Each are unique to their respective media.
>>
>> -- Ace
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
>> confers no rights.
>>
>> Please reply back to the newsgroup or forum to benefit from
>> collaboration among responding engineers, and to help others benefit
>> from your resolution.
>>
>> Ace Fekay, MCT, MCSE, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSA Messaging Microsoft
>> Certified Trainer
>> http://twitter.com/acefekay
>>
>> For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly.
>> Please check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone
>> numbers.
>>