SBS 2003 R2 prem on VMWare with Dell SLP activation help please

Discussion in 'Windows Server' started by willko, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. willko

    willko MDL Member

    May 14, 2008
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    #1 willko, Apr 9, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    I am trying to activate SBS 2003 premium R2 for a VM lab.

    I have the following CDs which I believe are MSDN issue from a PB torrent:

    Code:
    (Filname\MD5)
    en_sbs_2003_r2_cd1.iso1853632fb6cd850e3e95b1a6f49f97d4
    en_sbs_2003_r2_cd2.iso388b2c7076a4faae9afd9d44689cd9c1
    en_sbs_2003_r2_cd3.iso64ac8013e3c2cdd1ad7b0be5126a346d
    en_sbs_2003_r2_cd4.isoc91f85a6c25f51b6fa81cd1d6bd78343
    en_sbs_2003_r2_cd5.isoe8f8686b3aeffd1176614a2e305c0f45
    en_sbs_2003_r2_prem_tech_cd1.iso05709128037303c21c21b381e30ea1d9
    en_sbs_2003_r2_prem_tech_cd2.iso440b6b49edd04c5b36cff79188374521
    en_sbs_2003_r2_tech_a.iso70a157f46d69772cce2441cb3b006b9f
    I have installed all on VMware which has a Dell SLIC 2.1 and SLP string of:
    Code:
    Offset     Valid Address Range    SLP OEM String
    
    000FE841    000FE838 - 000FE850    Dell Inc
    000FE076    000FE076 - 000FE086    Dell System
    I also have this OEMBIOS pack ( DELL-R2-99735910.rar):
    Code:
    [MANUFACTURER]
    DELL
    
    [CRC32 HASHES]
    OEMBIOS.BIN 9B2B4496
    OEMBIOS.CAT 99735910
    OEMBIOS.DAT B0D03E81
    OEMBIOS.SIG 17D2800B
    Everything is installed and working. The process was to install first five CDs using product key: BBGC6-*****-J9CDW-*****-GTMMB (achieving SBS 2003 SP1 stndrd) then install the R2 CD (achieving R2) and finally installing the premium technology CDs ( achieving SBS 2003 R2 premium SP1).
    Now I'd like to activate the server (60 days left atm) which winver tells me is: Version 5.2 (Build 3790.srv03_sp1_rtm.050324-1447 : Service Pack 1) - Product ID: 74995-352-0732484-42050

    I've read quite few threads and I am a little confused...
    I was under the impression that if I replaced the various OEMBIOS files in safe mode and then attempted to change the product key to a known Dell OEM SBS R2 code (M633F-*****-8KTH3-*****-RVG6W - XXXXX-OEM-4411902-03101 – Dell) but it would not let me. (Activate Windows -> telephone activation -> change Product Key = Incorrect Product Key)

    This did not work. (maybe the product key is Dell OEM SBS 2003 R2 standard, that could certainly explain it? Is there a premium in existence?).

    If the key is valid,... I see the various other files being mentioned for OEM install CD creation (such as the pidgen.dll and dpcdll.dll) which I now assume I need but do not know which versions to search for.

    Do I need to change pidgen.dll and dpcdll.dll as well (or any other files)?
    Am I on the right track?
    Can I just replace files for an existing installation and enter a valid OEM product key?

    I saw this recent quote from a knowledgeable poster: XP/2003 offline activation = SLP string in BIOS + SLP OEM key + oembios* set corresponding to SLP string,... it's not rocket science. I usually can help myself but if someone might lend a hand I'd really appreciate it!

    many thanks for the help!!

    PS - I'm happy to re-install with a modified install CD if this is best, but I'd like to confirm what files\versions I need to create it (the OEMBIOS files mentioned above and some others I do not know the versions?) - I see a lot of info on 2003 server ent and standard OEM but not too much on SBS 2003 R2.
     
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  2. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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    Looking on MSDN there is no such thing as SBS 2003 R2 premium or otherwise only server, earliest sbs versions are from 2008 example Windows Small Business Server 2008

     
  3. willko

    willko MDL Member

    May 14, 2008
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    16
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    Ahh, OK, well,.. it's definitely SBS 2003 R2 and it had SP1 slipstreamed...? Also it has SQL server and ISA as well which I took to be part of the premium version.
    I guess your point is that its a retail version (or something else) but not MSDN though? If so, is there a way to convert retail to Dell OEM after install? Or must I slipstream the necessary files into CD1 in order to make this happen prior to install (if its indeed possible)?

    Perhaps I should be asking, if I want to create a Dell OEM SBS 2003 R2 (standard or premium) install on VMWare what would be the recommended procedure? Or rather where might I acquire SBS 2003 R2 media that can be converted to Dell OEM - does MS have a download?

    Thanks for the reply btw!

    Just for the sake of curiosity what is the best to determine which version of SBS is installed ( I've found a few sites that say check the logo in Server management for R2 and check to see if SQL and ISA are installed as best/easiest way, but that seems a bit , errr, amateur - is there a better way ?

    Also, I can't find the MD5s for these CDs anywhere (no google results) - do you think this could mean they are cooked? can anyone confirm the official MD5s for SBS 2003 on CD?

    Finally, just to be clear my understanding is that there are two versions of SBS 2003, standard and premium and that they both come in two releases, R1 and R2? Is that correct? Do these same varieties also come in OEM versions? specifically Dell? (Of course it is easy enough to change the VMWare SLP to HP or whatever if there is a SBS 2003 R2 premium OEM available for another vendor somewhere.)

    Thanks for any help!
     
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  4. ZaForD

    ZaForD MDL Expert

    Jan 26, 2008
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    @Urie,
    SBS 2K3 does exist and used to be on MSDN/TechNet, but it dissappered from a couple of years ago. :confused:



    @Willko2008,
    First off, Yes this can be done. :)
    But its a real pain in the... :eek:


    I had to do this a while back the main problems are:
    Its not on MSDN/TechNet are more.
    When it was, it was a 'Standard' version.
    The torrent 'Premium' version seems to be made up of both 'retail' and 'OEM' disks.
    The torrent 'OEM' version has corupt files and or images.

    My solution was basically to re-create 'Premium' CD1 and CD2 as OEM disks.
    Theres around 15 files to change in CD1 if you want it perfect.
    But editing the 'Setupp.ini' and 'Winnt.sif' files and adding the 'Cabbed' OEMBIOS set will do the job for CD1.
    On CD2 the R2 disk, you need to edit the 'setup.sbd' file, to make it an OEM disk.
    The only other problem was with the 'Outlook' disk, but I didn't really need that so I left it.

    Also make sure the CD Key your using is OEM and R2 (M633F-*****-8KTH3-*****-RVG6W - XXXXX-OEM-4411902-03101 – Dell) should be OK and DON'T Slipstream SP2 or any other components into CD1 or CD2 as it breaks the R2 install.

    If you search for my posts in this section, you should get the info you need.
    This is a case of the search button working far better than my memory. :biggrin:
     
  5. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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    @ ZaForD,
    Thanks for the info didn't realise SBS 2K3 does exist I have never really tried out sever versions.
     
  6. willko

    willko MDL Member

    May 14, 2008
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    OK, all set ;) Thanks very much for the pointers!

    I've borrowed and imaged some official technet CDs (factory silvers with blue writing acquired circa 2006) from a friend who happened to have all 8 CDs(!) and created a Dell OEM SBS 2003 R2 install CD that works.

    I amended the setupp.ini, winnt.sif and setup.sdb files (thanks for the setup.sbd tip in your post ZaFord!) and added the OEMBIOS files after running makecab on them ( DELL-R2-99735910 ). I used the product key we mentioned above and, voila!, all is installed, activated & updated on a VM workstation. (curiously, the technet install disc has PID ending in "000" which apparently is retail? so conversion was easy)

    As an aside, all the MD5s from the MS factory discs are exactly the same as above so it actually was/is a bona fide set from torrent ( 69GB multi-language one, easy to spot on PB & just grabbed the english CDs (4 GBs)). I'm a bit surprised google does not show any results for those hashes though...

    Thanks again for the help; maybe the hashes will be useful to others?
     
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  7. ZaForD

    ZaForD MDL Expert

    Jan 26, 2008
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    Glad you get it sorted. :cool:

    FYI all MSDN/TechNet disks/images are either VL or Retail.
    Ever noticed how many OEM conversion threads there are around here. :rolleyes:
     
  8. willko

    willko MDL Member

    May 14, 2008
    148
    16
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    now that you mention it...

    I've had a jelly:bangin:brain weekend , all help much appreciated!
     
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