I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients new server
which will need activating soon - we are happy that it will do what they want
so I can shut down there old server. I purchased an OEM licence for it but it
will not allow me to use the product key saying "the product key you have
entered will not work with this edition of windows server".

Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or am I
facing a total re-install of the OS?

Cheers,
Taomyn

Hello Taomyn,

OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only with that
one. Not on other systems.

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
** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm


> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients new
> server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it will do
> what they want so I can shut down there old server. I purchased an OEM
> licence for it but it will not allow me to use the product key saying
> "the product key you have entered will not work with this edition of
> windows server".
>
> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or am
> I facing a total re-install of the OS?
>
> Cheers,
> Taomyn

Hi Meinwolf,

Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the hardware i.e.
the new server and now the OS - they just weren't able to pay for the two at
the same time, hence getting the eval in so I didn't waste time waiting,

Taomyn

"Meinolf Weber" wrote:

> Hello Taomyn,
>
> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only with that
> one. Not on other systems.
>
> 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
> ** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>
>
> > I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients new
> > server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it will do
> > what they want so I can shut down there old server. I purchased an OEM
> > licence for it but it will not allow me to use the product key saying
> > "the product key you have entered will not work with this edition of
> > windows server".
> >
> > Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or am
> > I facing a total re-install of the OS?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Taomyn
>
>
>

Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Hi Meinwolf,
>
> Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the
> hardware i.e. the new server and now the OS - they just weren't able
> to pay for the two at the same time, hence getting the eval in so I
> didn't waste time waiting,
>
> Taomyn

You can't use an OEM key with a non-OEM copy of Windows, sorry. You can call
MS licensing if you want confirmation of this, but I'm pretty sure you won't
be able to use your current install. Eval is not meant to be put into
production, ever. Sorry.


>
> "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
>
>> Hello Taomyn,
>>
>> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only
>> with that one. Not on other systems.
>>
>> 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
>> ** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>
>>
>>> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients new
>>> server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it will
>>> do what they want so I can shut down there old server. I purchased
>>> an OEM licence for it but it will not allow me to use the product
>>> key saying "the product key you have entered will not work with
>>> this edition of windows server".
>>>
>>> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or
>>> am I facing a total re-install of the OS?
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Taomyn

Thanks, but I will quote from:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

"This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating Windows
Server® 2008 software does not require product activation or entering a
product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without
activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.

If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day evaluation
period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending the original 60 day
evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of
240 days. After this time, you will need to uninstall the software or upgrade
to a fully-licensed version of Windows Server 2008."

Note the last sentence in the second paragraph which states "uninstall or
upgrade",

Taomyn

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > Hi Meinwolf,
> >
> > Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the
> > hardware i.e. the new server and now the OS - they just weren't able
> > to pay for the two at the same time, hence getting the eval in so I
> > didn't waste time waiting,
> >
> > Taomyn
>
> You can't use an OEM key with a non-OEM copy of Windows, sorry. You can call
> MS licensing if you want confirmation of this, but I'm pretty sure you won't
> be able to use your current install. Eval is not meant to be put into
> production, ever. Sorry.
>
>
> >
> > "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
> >
> >> Hello Taomyn,
> >>
> >> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only
> >> with that one. Not on other systems.
> >>
> >> 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
> >> ** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
> >>
> >>
> >>> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients new
> >>> server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it will
> >>> do what they want so I can shut down there old server. I purchased
> >>> an OEM licence for it but it will not allow me to use the product
> >>> key saying "the product key you have entered will not work with
> >>> this edition of windows server".
> >>>
> >>> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or
> >>> am I facing a total re-install of the OS?
> >>>
> >>> Cheers,
> >>> Taomyn
>
>
>
>

Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Thanks, but I will quote from:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>
> "This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating
> Windows Server® 2008 software does not require product activation or
> entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be
> installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.
>
> If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day
> evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending
> the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total
> possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need
> to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of
> Windows Server 2008."
>
> Note the last sentence in the second paragraph which states
> "uninstall or upgrade",

How does that contradict what Meinolf or I wrote? Plugging in a product key
doesn't make it an upgrade...and you can't plug in an OEM product key.

I wish it were otherwise, but it ain't. And with OEM you couldn't do it
anyway.
>
> Taomyn
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>
>> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>> Hi Meinwolf,
>>>
>>> Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the
>>> hardware i.e. the new server and now the OS - they just weren't able
>>> to pay for the two at the same time, hence getting the eval in so I
>>> didn't waste time waiting,
>>>
>>> Taomyn
>>
>> You can't use an OEM key with a non-OEM copy of Windows, sorry. You
>> can call MS licensing if you want confirmation of this, but I'm
>> pretty sure you won't be able to use your current install. Eval is
>> not meant to be put into production, ever. Sorry.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hello Taomyn,
>>>>
>>>> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only
>>>> with that one. Not on other systems.
>>>>
>>>> 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
>>>> ** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients
>>>>> new server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it
>>>>> will do what they want so I can shut down there old server. I
>>>>> purchased an OEM licence for it but it will not allow me to use
>>>>> the product key saying "the product key you have entered will not
>>>>> work with this edition of windows server".
>>>>>
>>>>> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or
>>>>> am I facing a total re-install of the OS?
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Taomyn

No it was to contradict your statement "Eval is not meant to be put into
production, ever. Sorry."

I've taken plenty of systems from eval to production, that's the point of
evaluating it first - if you don't like it, uninstall it, if you do buy it
and continue using it,

Taomyn

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > Thanks, but I will quote from:
> > http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
> >
> > "This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating
> > Windows Server® 2008 software does not require product activation or
> > entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be
> > installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.
> >
> > If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day
> > evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending
> > the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total
> > possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need
> > to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of
> > Windows Server 2008."
> >
> > Note the last sentence in the second paragraph which states
> > "uninstall or upgrade",
>
> How does that contradict what Meinolf or I wrote? Plugging in a product key
> doesn't make it an upgrade...and you can't plug in an OEM product key.
>
> I wish it were otherwise, but it ain't. And with OEM you couldn't do it
> anyway.
> >
> > Taomyn
> >
> > "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
> >
> >> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >>> Hi Meinwolf,
> >>>
> >>> Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the
> >>> hardware i.e. the new server and now the OS - they just weren't able
> >>> to pay for the two at the same time, hence getting the eval in so I
> >>> didn't waste time waiting,
> >>>
> >>> Taomyn
> >>
> >> You can't use an OEM key with a non-OEM copy of Windows, sorry. You
> >> can call MS licensing if you want confirmation of this, but I'm
> >> pretty sure you won't be able to use your current install. Eval is
> >> not meant to be put into production, ever. Sorry.
> >>
> >>
> >>>
> >>> "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Hello Taomyn,
> >>>>
> >>>> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only
> >>>> with that one. Not on other systems.
> >>>>
> >>>> 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
> >>>> ** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients
> >>>>> new server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it
> >>>>> will do what they want so I can shut down there old server. I
> >>>>> purchased an OEM licence for it but it will not allow me to use
> >>>>> the product key saying "the product key you have entered will not
> >>>>> work with this edition of windows server".
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key or
> >>>>> am I facing a total re-install of the OS?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Cheers,
> >>>>> Taomyn
>
>
>
>

Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> No it was to contradict your statement "Eval is not meant to be put
> into production, ever. Sorry."
>
> I've taken plenty of systems from eval to production, that's the
> point of evaluating it first - if you don't like it, uninstall it, if
> you do buy it and continue using it,

Taomyn, you are misinterpreting me. I am clearly referring to Microsoft's
evaluation versions, as is obvious if you note the context of this thread.
I'm not referring to the overarching concept of evaluation versions in
general.

When it's an evaluation version of Windows you cannot put it in production.
Since you cannot register an evaluation version and continue to use it, it
threfore can never be put into production. Even if you *could* do this, you
could not use an OEM product key to register a non-OEM version of Windows.

I understand that it's frustrating that you've built something you can't
continue to use, but that's how it is, and it's clearly documented. For what
it's worth, I agree with you that it stinks.

So.... pax. As fascinating as this exercise is has been, I'm done.


>
> Taomyn
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>
>> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>> Thanks, but I will quote from:
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
>>>
>>> "This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating
>>> Windows Server® 2008 software does not require product activation or
>>> entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be
>>> installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.
>>>
>>> If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day
>>> evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending
>>> the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total
>>> possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need
>>> to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of
>>> Windows Server 2008."
>>>
>>> Note the last sentence in the second paragraph which states
>>> "uninstall or upgrade",
>>
>> How does that contradict what Meinolf or I wrote? Plugging in a
>> product key doesn't make it an upgrade...and you can't plug in an
>> OEM product key.
>>
>> I wish it were otherwise, but it ain't. And with OEM you couldn't do
>> it anyway.
>>>
>>> Taomyn
>>>
>>> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Meinwolf,
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the
>>>>> hardware i.e. the new server and now the OS - they just weren't
>>>>> able to pay for the two at the same time, hence getting the eval
>>>>> in so I didn't waste time waiting,
>>>>>
>>>>> Taomyn
>>>>
>>>> You can't use an OEM key with a non-OEM copy of Windows, sorry. You
>>>> can call MS licensing if you want confirmation of this, but I'm
>>>> pretty sure you won't be able to use your current install. Eval is
>>>> not meant to be put into production, ever. Sorry.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello Taomyn,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only
>>>>>> with that one. Not on other systems.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 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
>>>>>> ** us YOU!!!
>>>>>> http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients
>>>>>>> new server which will need activating soon - we are happy that
>>>>>>> it will do what they want so I can shut down there old server. I
>>>>>>> purchased an OEM licence for it but it will not allow me to use
>>>>>>> the product key saying "the product key you have entered will
>>>>>>> not work with this edition of windows server".
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key
>>>>>>> or am I facing a total re-install of the OS?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>>>> Taomyn

Hello,
For Windows Server 2008 Evaluation, you should be able to change the
product key to a Retail key or change it to a Volume product key.
This would convert your installation from evaluation to either a Retail or
Volume installation.
It should just be a product key for those two types not for OEM.
Thanks,
Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights
--------------------
| >Thread-Topic: Using OEM to activate eval Server 2008
| >thread-index: AckjB4hbCS+Lcgy6TUmmmkPdsRIK9Q==
| >From: =?Utf-8?B?VGFvbXlu?= <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com>
| >References: <1CB872E4-45F7-4F75-9A9D-B1C3731E10A8@microsoft.com>
<ff16fb6687998caf1196ebebc79@msnews.microsoft.co m>
<62EC09D0-3217-4E96-B31A-A34C2EE93E29@microsoft.com>
<epJeFtvIJHA.3708@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl>
<D0A7F02E-2907-45DA-BAA2-676F4ED982F9@microsoft.com>
<OlMJkTwIJHA.2580@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl>
| >Subject: Re: Using OEM to activate eval Server 2008
| >Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 07:19:21 -0700
| >Lines: 89
| >Message-ID: <D49180B7-5688-4804-97F3-8FDA607F9AF3@microsoft.com>
| >MIME-Version: 1.0
| >Content-Type: text/plain;
| > charset="Utf-8"
| >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
| >X-Newsreader: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000
| >Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message
| >Importance: normal
| >Priority: normal
| >X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.3790.3119
| >Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.server.setup
| >Path: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl
| >Xref: TK2MSFTNGHUB02.phx.gbl microsoft.public.windows.server.setup:5138
| >NNTP-Posting-Host: tk2msftibfm01.phx.gbl 10.40.244.149
| >X-Tomcat-NG: microsoft.public.windows.server.setup
| >
| >No it was to contradict your statement "Eval is not meant to be put into
| >production, ever. Sorry."
| >
| >I've taken plenty of systems from eval to production, that's the point
of
| >evaluating it first - if you don't like it, uninstall it, if you do buy
it
| >and continue using it,
| >
| >Taomyn
| >
| >"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
| >
| >> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| >> > Thanks, but I will quote from:
| >> >
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...D4C-A40E-4FD2-
A0F7-32212B520F50&displaylang=en
| >> >
| >> > "This software is for evaluation and testing purposes. Evaluating
| >> > Windows Server® 2008 software does not require product activation or
| >> > entering a product key. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be
| >> > installed without activation and evaluated for an initial 60 days.
| >> >
| >> > If you need more time to evaluate Windows Server 2008, the 60 day
| >> > evaluation period may be reset (or re-armed) three times, extending
| >> > the original 60 day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total
| >> > possible evaluation time of 240 days. After this time, you will need
| >> > to uninstall the software or upgrade to a fully-licensed version of
| >> > Windows Server 2008."
| >> >
| >> > Note the last sentence in the second paragraph which states
| >> > "uninstall or upgrade",
| >>
| >> How does that contradict what Meinolf or I wrote? Plugging in a
product key
| >> doesn't make it an upgrade...and you can't plug in an OEM product key.
| >>
| >> I wish it were otherwise, but it ain't. And with OEM you couldn't do
it
| >> anyway.
| >> >
| >> > Taomyn
| >> >
| >> > "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
| >> >
| >> >> Taomyn <Taomyn@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
| >> >>> Hi Meinwolf,
| >> >>>
| >> >>> Yes, I appreciate that, as I have supplied them with both the
| >> >>> hardware i.e. the new server and now the OS - they just weren't
able
| >> >>> to pay for the two at the same time, hence getting the eval in so I
| >> >>> didn't waste time waiting,
| >> >>>
| >> >>> Taomyn
| >> >>
| >> >> You can't use an OEM key with a non-OEM copy of Windows, sorry. You
| >> >> can call MS licensing if you want confirmation of this, but I'm
| >> >> pretty sure you won't be able to use your current install. Eval is
| >> >> not meant to be put into production, ever. Sorry.
| >> >>
| >> >>
| >> >>>
| >> >>> "Meinolf Weber" wrote:
| >> >>>
| >> >>>> Hello Taomyn,
| >> >>>>
| >> >>>> OEM keys are normally shipped with hardware and should work only
| >> >>>> with that one. Not on other systems.
| >> >>>>
| >> >>>> 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
| >> >>>> ** us YOU!!! http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
| >> >>>>
| >> >>>>
| >> >>>>> I have an eval copy of Server 2008 Standard running on a clients
| >> >>>>> new server which will need activating soon - we are happy that it
| >> >>>>> will do what they want so I can shut down there old server. I
| >> >>>>> purchased an OEM licence for it but it will not allow me to use
| >> >>>>> the product key saying "the product key you have entered will not
| >> >>>>> work with this edition of windows server".
| >> >>>>>
| >> >>>>> Is there any way to get the current build to accept the new key
or
| >> >>>>> am I facing a total re-install of the OS?
| >> >>>>>
| >> >>>>> Cheers,
| >> >>>>> Taomyn
| >>
| >>
| >>
| >>
| >

"Darrell Gorter[MSFT]" <Darrellg@online.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> For Windows Server 2008 Evaluation, you should be able to change the
> product key to a Retail key or change it to a Volume product key.
> This would convert your installation from evaluation to either a
> Retail or Volume installation.
> It should just be a product key for those two types not for OEM.
> Thanks,
> Darrell Gorter[MSFT]

Well, I'll only eat part of my hat. The brim, perhaps. :-)