Dell™ OEM Windows Server® Media
Operating System
Activation Guide
www.dell.com | support.dell.com
Notes and Cautions
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of
your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if
instructions are not followed.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2009 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, and the DELL logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft, Windows,
and Windows Server are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
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February 2009 Rev. A00
Contents
1Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 Determining License
Activation Status
Determining License Status Using the CLI . . . . . . . . 7
Product Key and Virtual Key
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Determining License Status Using the GUI
3 Setting Up and Activating the
Physical System or the
Virtual Machine
Identifying the Product Key and Virtual Key . . . . . . . 11
Replacing the Existing OEM Product Key
With the COA Key
Replacing and Activating the
Key Using CLI
Replacing and Activating the
Key Using GUI
Confirming the Installation
of the Correct Key
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
. . . . . . . 8
Contents 3
Activating the COA Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Activating the COA Key
Through Internet
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Activating the COA Key
Through Telephone
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Confirming the Activation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4 Contents
Overview
This document describes the instructions to activate a Microsoft®
Windows
®
2008 based operating system installed using Dell™ Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) server media on virtual machines or
physical systems that are not enabled with OEM Activation (OA) 2.0
technology.
NOTE: Dell does NOT provide OEM operating system support on any non-Dell
hardware. To verify that the operating system is supported on the hardware being
used and for more information, see the Operating System home page at
www.dell.com/ostechsheets and the Dell website at
www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/alliances/en/os_certifications.
NOTE: Windows 2008-based operating systems include but are not limited to Web,
Standard, Enterprise, and DataCenter versions of Windows Server 2008, Windows
Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008.
Introduction
After installing the operating system using the Dell™ OEM media, you may
be asked to activate the systems depending on how they were configured at
the time of purchase.
NOTE: When you install the operating system using the Dell OEM media, you are
not prompted to enter or change the key during setup. If you attempt to activate a
physical system using the embedded key, the attempt fails and you need to change
the key following the steps in "Activating the COA Keys" on page 14. Using an
Open Manage disk to assist the installation of the hardware drivers and operating
system does not alter the operating system activation requirements
The operating system on your Dell system is automatically activated if the
system previously shipped with a Windows
operating system pre-installed from Dell, and you are repurposing the system.
®
Server® 2008-based (WS08)
Operating System Activation Guide 5
The operating system activation occurs with the OEM media that the system
was shipped with. If the system did not ship with pre-installed Windows
operating system, it does not have any version of OA.
A Windows Server 2008-based operating system installed as a virtual machine
requires a virtual product key to activate the guest operating system. To install
on physical systems that are not OA 2.0 enabled, the product key on the
Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label must be used.
Product Key and Virtual Key
The product key is a 25-character string with each of the characters separated
by a hyphen. The product key is optional during the operating system setup
process but it is required during the activation process.
For Dell systems running a Windows Server 2008-based operating system,
you receive the following two keys:
•
Product Key
on the physical system.
•
Virtual Key
operating system, installed on a virtual machine.
NOTE: The Product Key and Virtual Key are printed on the Certificate of
Authority (COA) sticker.
For detailed license terms related to guest operating system instances,
see article 949748 on the Microsoft Technet website at
technet.microsoft.com/kb.
– It is used to activate the operating system that is installed
– It is used to activate the software that is used as a guest
6 Operating System Activation Guide
Determining License Activation Status
You can determine the license status of the operating system in two ways:
• Command Line Interface (CLI)
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Determining License Status Using the CLI
To determine the license status of the physical or guest operating system
using the command line:
1
Open the command prompt window.
NOTE: Ensure that you have Administrative privileges.
2
Run the following command:
slmgr.vbs /dli
The
Windows Script Host
The
License Status
NOTE: If the license status is not set to Licensed or an expiry date is
displayed, the software is not activated.
window is displayed as shown in Figure 2-1.
is set to
Licensed
.
Operating System Activation Guide 7
Figure 2-1. Script Host Window
Determining License Status Using the GUI
To determine the license status of the operating system using the GUI mode:
1
Go to
Start→
The System Properties window is displayed.
2
In the
Windows Activation
Genuine Microsoft Software
the
NOTE: If the Windows is Activated message or the Genuine Microsoft Software
logo is not displayed or an expiry date is displayed, the software is not activated.
Settings→
Control Panel→
section, the
logo are displayed as shown in Figure 2-2.
System
.
Windows is activated
message and
8 Operating System Activation Guide
Figure 2-2. Windows Activation Message and Genuine Microsoft Software Logo
Operating System Activation Guide 9
10 Operating System Activation Guide
Setting Up and Activating the Physical System or the Virtual Machine
The product entry screen is not displayed during the setup process.
By default, the setup process uses the built-in pre-activation code present in
the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) media provided by Dell™.
To change the pre-activation code and activate the installation:
• Substitute the OEM key with the Product Key or Virtual Key.
NOTE: The Product Key and Virtual Key are printed on the Certificate of
Authenticity (COA) sticker
• Contact Microsoft through the Internet or telephone to activate the
operating system.
Identifying the Product Key and Virtual Key
For Dell systems shipping with pre-installed Microsoft® Windows Server®
2008 operating systems, the Product Key and Virtual Key are printed on the
Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label as displayed in Figure 3-1.
NOTE: The COA label is pasted on the chassis of the system. For additional system
software, the COA label may be on the outside or inside of the software case.
For more information, see the documentation that shipped with your system.
Operating System Activation Guide 11
Figure 3-1. The COA Label
Replacing the Existing OEM Product Key With the COA Key
You can replace and activate the correct key by using one of the following modes:
• Command Line Interface (CLI)
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
NOTE: If the operating system is in a virtual machine, ensure that you use the
Virtual Key and if the operating system is in a physical machine, ensure that you use
the Product Key.
Replacing and Activating the Key Using CLI
To replace and activate the key using the CLI:
1
Open the command prompt window.
NOTE: Ensure that you have Administrative privileges.
2
Run the following command:
Slmgr.vbs /ipk <New Key>
For exa mple:
12345
12 Operating System Activation Guide
Slmgr.vbs /ipk 12ABC-DE456-12345-ABCDE-
Replacing and Activating the Key Using GUI
To replace and activate the key using the GUI:
1
Go to
Start→
System Properties
The
2
In the
Windows Activation
Product Key Entry
The
3
Enter the appropriate key.
Settings→
window is displayed.
screen is displayed.
Control Panel→
section, click the
System
Change Product Key
Once the key is entered Windows is automatically activated.
NOTE: Windows may not be able to activate if networking does not allow
contact with the Microsoft activation system through the Internet.
Confirming the Installation of the Correct Key
To confirm that the correct key is installed:
1
Open the command prompt window.
NOTE: Ensure that you have Administrative privileges.
2
Run the following command:
Slmgr.vbs /dli
.
link.
The Partial Product key is displayed in
Windows Script Host
as shown in Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2. Script Host WIndow
NOTE: Ensure that the Partial Product key displayed in the Windows Script Host
window matches the key you installed.
Operating System Activation Guide 13
window
Activating the COA Keys
You can activate the COA keys by using one of the following methods:
• Activating through the Internet
• Activating through the telephone
Activating the COA Key Through Internet
To successfully activate the key through the Internet, ensure that the
operating system can access the Internet. If you are accessing the Internet
through a proxy system that is configured for basic authentication,
ensure that you save the user credentials in the browser.
These user credentials are used by Windows to access the Internet during
the activation process.
NOTE: Ensure that you save the user credentials in the browser as the activation
user interface does not let you enter the credentials.
For more information on activating Windows® Server ® 2008 operating
system through the Internet, see the Microsoft article 921471 located on
the Microsoft Support website at support.microsoft.com/kb.
To activate the COA key using CLI:
1
Open the command prompt window.
NOTE: Ensure that you have Administrative privileges.
2
Run the following command:
Slmgr.vbs /ato
The COA key is activated.
To activate the COA key using the GUI:
1
Go to
Start→
The
System Properties
2
In the
Windows Activation
NOTE: Ensure that the OEM Product Key has been replaced with the
correct COA key as described in "Replacing the Existing OEM Product Key
With the COA Key" on page 12.
The COA key is activated.
14 Operating System Activation Guide
Settings→
window is displayed.
Control Panel→
section, click the
System
.
Activate Windows Now
link.
Activating the COA Key Through Telephone
You can complete the Windows Server 2008 operating system activation
by contacting a Microsoft customer service representative. The telephone
activation process requires the installation ID.
You can obtain the installation ID using the CLI or the GUI.
Obtaining an Installation ID and Activating the COA Key Using CLI
To obtain the installation ID using CLI:
Open the command prompt window.
1
NOTE: Ensure that you have Administrative privileges.
2
Run the following command:
slmgr.vbs /dti
The installation id and location of the
NOTE: The phone.inf file contains the telephone number that you need to call.
phone.inf
file is displayed.
To activate the COA Key using CLI:
Select the country from where you are making the call. Note the phone
1
number from the
2
Dial the phone number.
3
Provide the installation ID to the customer service representative.
4
Note the confirmation ID provided by the customer service representative.
NOTE: The confirmation ID is a 42-digit integer containing the activation key
and some check digits that aid in error handling. Both the installation ID and
the confirmation ID are displayed to you in easily understandable segments in
the product user interface.
5
Start the command prompt window with administrative privileges.
6
Run the following command:
slmgr.vbs /atp <Confirmation ID>
phone.inf
file.
The COA key is activated.
Operating System Activation Guide 15
Obtaining an Installation ID and Activating the COA Key Using GUI
To obtain the installation ID using GUI, use one of the following methods:
Method 1
1
Go to
Start→
Settings→
Control Panel→
System
.
The System Properties window is displayed.
2
In the
3
Click
4
Click on
Windows Activation
Show me other ways to activate link
Use automated Phone system
section, click
.
Activate Windows now
.
.
The installation ID is displayed
Method 2
1
Open the command prompt window.
NOTE: Ensure that you have Administrative privileges.
2
Run the following command:
SLUI 04
The installation ID is displayed.
To activate the COA key using GUI, open the Telephone Activation Wizard
and complete the following steps:
Select the country from which the call is being made so that an
1
appropriate phone number can be shown in the product UI.
2
Dial the phone number.
3
Provide the installation ID to the customer service representative.
4
Enter the confirmation ID provided by the customer service
representative.
The COA key is activated.
NOTE: If you cannot activate your system after following the steps in
"Activating the COA Keys" on page 14, contact Dell technical support.
16 Operating System Activation Guide
Confirming the Activation
Once you successfully complete the activation process, Windows changes the
licensing status of the operating system installation. You can confirm the
license status by using either of the methods listed in "Determining License
Activation Status" on page 7.
Operating System Activation Guide 17
18 Operating System Activation Guide
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