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Paid Downgrade Option Through Dell?
I called in to Dell Technical support earlier and inquired about downgrading my current server OS (2012 R2) to 2008 R2. I was informed that I had not selected a field for downgrade eligibility during my checkout and as a result I would be able to downgrade for free.
I kind of went blank and thanked the technician for his assistance and proceeded to end the call there. I do understand that the free option is out of the question and was interested in whether or not Dell offered an option to purchase a copy of their OEM Server 2008 R2 with a license that I would be able to use to downgrade my system.
I had thought about just purchasing 2008 R2 from an online retailer but had concerns about possible compatibility issues as well as not having access to the tools that Dell provides for their servers.
Any thoughts on this are welcomed and appreciated.
Thank You.
DELL-Daniel My
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February 3rd, 2016 17:00
Hello
If you purchased 2012R2 as a factory installed image then you might have the image files already:
http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/b/techcenter/archive/2014/07/30/dell-ships-iso-files-of-previous-os-versions-along-with-factory-installed-microsoft-windows-server-174-operating-systems
A product key is not required. If you install using an OEM image it should pull the activation key from the system board.
If you do not have those files then tech support can provide downgrade media. To be eligible to receive downgrade media you must have purchased the OS from us, and you must have a valid support contract. I am not aware of a requirement to select the optional downgrade media during system purchase.
If you meet the above requirements and tech support still refuses to provide the images then I would suggest politely asking them if they could please double check on the process for acquiring downgrade media in the Microsoft Alternate Media Program. There may be something about the way the OS was purchased or regional policies that I'm unaware of, so I can't say for sure that support should send the media.
Thanks
theflash1932
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February 3rd, 2016 17:00
2012 R2 Standard can be downgraded to 2008 R2, regardless of where/how you obtained it, and regardless of whether or not Dell can/will do it for you.
The ONLY thing the downgrade option does for you when purchasing a Dell server is entitle you to the installation MEDIA for the downgrade.
You do NOT need Dell's media to perform the downgrade, but not having it certainly complicates the process. In order to exercise your downgrade rights, you must have a valid 2008 R2 license key to perform the activation. Keep in mind that this key is ONLY for activation purposes; 2008 R2 will remain properly licensed after activation by the downgrade rights inherent in the 2012 R2 license. The key can be OEM, retail, MSDN, etc., AND can be in use on another system (and will continue to be valid after activating on the other machine).
There is a chance you will need to contact Microsoft to activate by phone, and in some cases, I've heard, they will provide a key to activate the downgrade after verifying the license, but this is probably going to be harder than doing it yourself.
They do not. You wouldn't want to anyway. If you have to buy the OS separately, purchase retail so it can be transferred as needed.
There are no compatiblity issues doing this. Dell does not have their own version of Windows. The ONLY difference between Dell's installation media and generic/retail media is the branding (activation, support info, backgrounds, etc.). However, as stated, you do not need to purchase 2008 R2, as 2012 R2 gives you the right to run 2008 R2, whether Dell decides to help you or not.
Personally, I would contact your TAM or sales rep and tell him you want to return and reorder (if within the return window). Working with a TAM, I "almost" guarantee he will send you the media you need, even if he has to charge you the customary $20 or whatever for "replacement media", but he will probably send it free of charge.
theflash1932
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February 3rd, 2016 17:00
Even better ... I have so much media around me and available to me that I didn't notice them shipping with the ISO's. Very cool.