Hello World! I am a bit running into a problem and while I googled I found this forum. wow, I am impressed. I think if there is a forum which can help me- this must be it: I purchased a new Dell server, a T310, and received it last Friday. I wanted Win2003 with it, but the homepage nor the sales rep could offer it. So I ordered it with the 2008 R2, but Dell Sales rep said, that MS still offers free downgrades to Server 2003. On Monday I called MS to request a Downgrade and they told me that DELL is an OEM Partner and MS is *NOT* responsible for my request- Dell is! After talking to two Support people of DELL they found out now that somewhere hidden in the Ordersystem there is the possibility to order 2003, but they can't send me a Mediakit nor Licence key. DELL asked me to return the server and they will rebuild one and install 2003 on it, but I honestly can't wait another three weeks to get this done. Now, having said that, I told them that I actually just need a Media to install 2003, because I could use my existing license key of my other server which as Win2003. This server never came with a media, because this server was purchase through our Software vendor and they installed it for me/my employer incl. their software before I became our part-time admin. I slipstreamed a OEM version and also a VLK version with the raid controller, but both versions refused my licence key ("The Product Id you entered is not valid"). Questions: 1. How Do I create a Dell version of 2003 R1 SP2? 2. Do you agree that I can use the existing OEM DELL key again? License wise I am fully loaded with a 2008 Enterprise label on the new server.. I downloaded the DELL - 2003 - CRC= C20D8FF5 which I found here, but couldn't find a HowTo about it.... With kindest regards I request your help, stak74
Hi stak74, There is no 'R1' just SVR2003 and SVR2003 R2. You don't say which SKU your using ? This is important as a Standard key won't work with Enterprise, or vice versa. Answers: 1. Copy your SVR2003 disk to your HDD. Slipstream SP2 (and your RAID drivers) into the copied files. Replace the 'oembios' files with Dell C20D8FF5 set (if necessary) Burn files back to CD. 2. The Dell OEM key will work with any 'OEM' installation disk of the same 'SKU'
Thanks, Tito, for the link. Hi ZaForD. I appreciate your feed back, thanks a lot! You are right, I forgot to mention which SKU I was referring to. It is Standard. I did today, actually, what you wrote: I copied a Standard R2 2003 to the HDD, copied the files from Dell C20D8FF5 into the folder, slipstreamed it with the raid driver (sp2 was included), created an iso and burned it. Voila: approx. 50 min later I had Windows 2003 R2 installed. Doublechecking with a keyfinder software confirmed the right license key. I am really happy and impressed how smooth it went through. I installed approx. 110 patches via MS Update and am current now. Thanks again to everyone here for helping me out!!!! Again: stak74
What are the chances that my windows 2003 and 2003 r2 Standard servers, which run now with the same license key, get shut down by MS, even if I have with the second (newer) server a 2008 Enterprise OEM with 20 cals? I wonder if you have any experience how this gets tracked by MS. I hate to get in a few weeks the info that my license key was black listed because it was used on several (2) servers. I mean, license wise is what I am doing kind of wrong because I would need a separate key for the second server, but I have myself covered by owning the big licenses anyway. What I did was just "best practice". What are your thoughts? I still have the possibility to return the server to dell, but I think that is really a BS way to deal with this tiny issue.
No chance at all, if you used an OEM SLP key. Those have literally been used on millions of machines and it's an offline activation.
Hi stak74, I'm glad you got it sorted As Myrrh has said with the OEM SLP key your safe. But just to be sure, the Dell SVR 2003 R2 Standard key should end with 'CXFC8' And the Dell SVR 2003 R2 Standard key should end with 'G7CKJ' If it doesn't you may want to consider changing them. p.s. If your using SVR2003 R2, you may want to use the 'DELL - 2003 - R2 - CRC= 99735910' oembios set instead.
wow, i just found "my key" here: forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/2074-Server-2003-Stan-Ent-OEM-Files-DELL/page2 (can't post links, so I removed the http). It is also mentioned as a R2 code. Okay, seems that I am somewhat save and I will NOT return it to Dell and lose another 4 weeks. I didn't use the DELL - 2003 - R2 - CRC= 99735910, but it still worked. Would you recommend that I redo it with DELL - 2003 - R2 - CRC= 99735910? I am very grateful for this incredible depth of info provided here and if there is a way to donate to the board, let me know. -stak74
Hi stak74, If you have to rebuild the server or the installation disk, then add them. But don't go out of your way to do it 'cos the older 'DELL - 2003 - CRC= C20D8FF5' set are clearly working.