Hi, I've recently purchased a refurbished Dell server with a Windows 2003 COA attached. From the COA I know it is Windows Server 2003 standard r2. Is it possible to find out which version the key belongs to? I've tried using various CDs but can't get any to accept the key! Thanks
Yes, and it is useless key (I think it is kind of retail, with NO online activation possible) You (apparently) can activate it by phoning using this key sebus
Thanks for your responses - that might explain the reason why I haven't been able to enter it even on a Dell OEM disk!
a COA key useless? why should it be useless? ...I think sebus is talking BS a COA key is the same as Retail, you can activate it online @moukem If the COA reads Windows Server 2003 standard r2, it probably belongs to Windows Server 2003 standard r2, don't you think? You have to use a Windows Server 2003 standard r2 OEM disk or Windows Server 2003 standard r2 Retail disk (with setup.ini modified to accept OEM key)
Thanks freestyler. Are there not different version of r2 standard (32 or 64bit?) So far, I've tried to modify: - a Dell OEM disk I have (which isn't r2) - by modifying setup.ini - a retail disk (which is r2) - by modifying setup.ini,DPCDLL.DL_,PIDGEN.DLL and adding the 4 OEM files - a msdn disk (which is r2) - again by modifying setup.ini,DPCDLL.DL_,PIDGEN.DLL and adding the 4 OEM files Does anyone know where I can get the Dell R2 files to modify to confirm I have the correct versions? Thanks for your help so far...
Hi moukem, I use MSDN disks as the base of all my OEM disks. For all versions of XP and SVR2K3, I just edit the 'Setupp.ini' as FreeStyler said. And it works fine.
Why modify setupp.ini, this one is already oem only setupp.ini modification should do, as you are using COA key, right? MSDN, this is Volume if i'm right, aint it? setupp.ini need to be modified, dpcdll_dl_, pidgen.dll and setupreg.hiv must be replaces with retail/oem version if i'm right
These are the files that I have had to replace in the last few OEM disk builds I have undertaken. (the last one was SBS2003 for an HP server) DPCDLL.DL_ PIDGEN.DLL SETUPP.INI SETUPREG.HIV WINNT.SIF And of course: OEMBIOS.BI_ OEMBIOS.CA_ OEMBIOS.DA_ OEMBIOS.SI_ BTW, my Dell Server will not activate with the key on the COA. A loooong time ago, (about the same time I began lurking here), I did get the key validated using a call to MS. But a few months later, I had a HDD failure that prompted me to build my very first OEM disk. (Thanks to MDL )
MSDN can be either Retail or VL COA does not activate online, it used to do before XP SP1, but the kids in colleges were using it to activate they home machines, so it stopped It still can be activated by phone (if you do not say all the truth) COA is only a proof that you are legit And if one has already the sticker, then means that the server was most likely OEM offline activated, so why not to just use the Microsoft own SLP key for the ease of it? sebus
Good point. My account dosesn't cover VL edtions, so I keep forgetting about them Its the Retail disks/images that I edit the 'Setupp.ini' on to use with COA keys. And I add an OEMBIOS fileset if i'm using an SLP key.
This can be true for XP (never tried), but never had issues activating 2003 using COA on non branded/self build server systems
Thanks, I never actually tried that as the only W2K3 I was using were always covered by my Select agreemrnt (so even if the machine had the sticker it was of no interest to me) But good to know, thanks sebus
Dude, what do you think? (it is a trial, so if the pid.inf it not replaced you think it would activate? ) We have presented everything needed on a silver plate up to now, now it is time to start reading and using your own brain
COA Server 2003 Std R2 match to CD I have this same problem. I purchased a second hand unit with COA Server 2003 R2 32bit 1-4 CPU to create a legitimate backup to have on standby should our main server fail, get virus etc. I have borrowed a CD set of this version since our main server is not R2 version of Server 2003 standard but it will not accept the key on the COA. Any advice to establish which CD set I need to match the key I have or how to modify the CD's I have will be appreciated. Remember I have a legitimate genuine COA, presumable supplied with the server when new, so I am not seeking to do anything underhand.