Change a Server 2008 Retail to OEM?

Discussion in 'Windows Server' started by Jockeman, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. Jockeman

    Jockeman MDL Novice

    Feb 1, 2010
    1
    0
    0
    Is it possible to change a Microsoft Server 2008 Retail to OEM?

    The problem is that I can't activate the OEM product key on the Retail version.
    And i'm not very interested in a reinstallation of the server.
    So if anyone have a solution to this little problem i would appreciate very much.
     
  2. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
    6,356
    2,026
    210
    Because you do NOT activate.
    You have to have:

    SLIC 2.0 + SLP OEM Key + certificate that corresponds to the SLIC

    Read stickies, all is explained over & over & over & over

    sebus
     
  3. chianf092

    chianf092 MDL Senior Member

    Aug 29, 2008
    279
    21
    10
    Sebus is right you can not activate an OEM key, it will state it's invalid. A quick browse in the server section and you will have all the answers you need. But yes it's very easy to switch from Retail or KMS to OEM.
     
  4. superchc

    superchc MDL Novice

    Feb 13, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    i have similar question, but i need to use it leagally, i installed MSDN version before on a dell R710 Server, i tested everything and find that the windows server 2008 R2 can run my software. i need to sell the system to my client, they would like to buy same model dell computer with OEM windows 2008 R2. i don't want to reinstall everything, can i clone my system to they computer and use the OEM key to activate the windows 2008 R2? (don't want to crack via SLIC). some one said that it is possible but some one said no. anyone tried this on Windows 2008 R2?

    Q2: Do anyone have dell widnows 2008R2 OEM Disk? of the $OEM$ folder? i googled, but can only find a BT source, but it have no seed now. Edonkey, Foxy all can't find Dell disk now.
     
  5. HSChronic

    HSChronic MDL Expert

    Aug 25, 2007
    1,214
    64
    60
    All the Dell version will have is some updated drivers and wallpapers. Just install a fresh copy of R2 eval into a VM, install the Dell Cert and Key. sysprep the machine and capture an image and deploy that image to the new server. If it won't let you sysprep then just run Windows backup and take an image with system state capture then boot off the R2 DVD and restore the image to the new box.
     
  6. superchc

    superchc MDL Novice

    Feb 13, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    sounds good.
    but i still need to install my software in the eval version.
    do any one tried to put a Dell/HP/LEnovo OEM key to computer which installed with MSND disk?
     
  7. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
    6,356
    2,026
    210
    What HP/LEnovo OEM key?

    Ther is ONLY Dell 2008 R2 keys available!

    sebus
     
  8. fgriffith

    fgriffith MDL Novice

    Jan 22, 2010
    11
    1
    0
    Can you make the unit think it is a Dell?