MS Server 2003 Product Key Invalid

[fizzylogic]

OK, so I have a legit license for Windows Server Standard 2003 R2 and I have tried numerous ISO's but I cannot get the product key I have to work with any of them.

I even went to Rectron, who recently fixed the server, and they were kind enough to burn me an OEM disc.

Still no luck.

Apparently it is the DSP version but when I did a google search for the serial # on the license I saw something about it being R2a, which I didn't know existed.

Its really quite confusing with all the different versions out there and I cannot for the life of me find a disc that works.

Anyone have any experience with this and can point me in the right direction?

See license sticker below for product info.

Desperately need to get this thing reloaded.

Thanks.

[cluberti]

Technically there's no difference between Server 2003 R2 and Server 2003 R2a other than the product keys used, but given that you have a 2003 R2a disc and are having trouble with the product key you might want to call the Microsoft clearinghouse for a key. If the vendor gave you a valid key (and it looks legit, although from a grainy photo it's hard to say for sure) and it won't activate, call Microsoft and get them to provide you with an activation key you can then use in the phone activation steps in the OS. That should be sufficient (you probably simply have a key that's either been activated before, or for some reason isn't matching the PIDkey that theOos is generating on install).

[fizzylogic]

Technically there's no difference between Server 2003 R2 and Server 2003 R2a other than the product keys used, but given that you have a 2003 R2a disc and are having trouble with the product key you might want to call the Microsoft clearinghouse for a key. If the vendor gave you a valid key (and it looks legit, although from a grainy photo it's hard to say for sure) and it won't activate, call Microsoft and get them to provide you with an activation key you can then use in the phone activation steps in the OS. That should be sufficient (you probably simply have a key that's either been activated before, or for some reason isn't matching the PIDkey that theOos is generating on install).

Thanks, but its not activation Im having a problem with, its the actual install.

And yes, the license sticker is definitely legit.

I think the problem lies in that I dont have an R2a disc, but an R2 one.

Edited May 22, 2010 by fizzylogic

[cluberti]

Right - hence, call Microsoft. They'll provide you with a key that will install, but you'll have to use the phone activation to activate it (it won't activate online).

[MrJinje]

Read this article and see if it helps you install with your obviously OEM media, solution is direct from Microsoft

[fizzylogic]

Will try that on Monday, was hoping to get it done before then though.

Thanks.

[fizzylogic]

The original discs were found, thanks for the suggestions.