OEM Server converted to VM = license now screwed

[Meresgi]

So we converted a law firms server 2008 (it's not even R2) to a VM over the weekend since we purchased a new server and are using ESXI on it, what we didn't know however was that the server 2008 OS was actually OEM (I honestly didn't even know they made OEM servers, never crossed my mind). So now we have an issue where we have to get a new license apparently for 2008 server, since you can't transfer OEM licenses from 1 machine to another.

Anyone know a work around for this? I was able to find a command line to give us an extra 3 days since it was telling us we had 1 day to verify it, but would rather not have to purchase a license.

[SephYuyX]

Call MS and say you had to reinstall.

[Meresgi]

Call MS and say you had to reinstall.

Don't think they will tell us to contact Dell? I was planning on calling them tomorrow when I go out to the office. That would be a relief if they just give me a new key.

[SephYuyX]

Eh, maybe, but either way, either company should easily give up an activation code.

[Meresgi]

Ill try MS tomorrow, our issue was we didn't know who bought the OEM server, we tried every name in the company and their old IT company and still nothing so I gotta grab that info tomorrow when they come into the office lol. Dell refused to do anything for us w/o us telling them who's name was on the receipt for the server, even though we had the server ID tag >_<

[Meresgi]

So yeah, contacted Dell and MS, neither can help since it's an OEM p2v and that violates the OEM license. So I guess our only choices are obtaining a VLK and hoping that works if we do a repair from iso media or just installing a fresh server and then copying all the data over to it. Ugh pain in the ass.

[xopher]

Just now seeing this thread. Licenses are tied to hardware. Specifically motherboard, once you activate the license. You change hardware, including migration to virtual, your license is no longer valid.

[Ratatapa]

Yup yup never buy OEM for servers lol

[Meresgi]

Yeah, no clue why their old IT company bought an OEM server, stupid as shit lol. Oh well. Activated it with a dreamspark student key for the time being while we get a real key.