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Media for new Windows Server 2016 VMs on OEM Datacenter?
We just got a couple of R730xd's with Windows Server 2016 factory installed with OEM license.
I need to create new virtual machines now and I do not think that we received any install media. This is what it says in the offer from Dell, which we accepted:
Software
- 1 605-11443 No Media Required
- 1 634-BILI Windows Server 2016 Datacenter,16CORE,Factory Installed, No Media, UnLTD VMs, NO CALs
- 6 634-BILJ MS2016 DC Edition, Additional License,2CORE,NO MEDIA/KEY
- 1 631-AACK No Systems Documentation, No OpenManage DVD Kit
So it was probably a mistake not to get media. Can I:
Just use another media, which I have lying around (like from MSDN)?
Download an iso from Dell somewhere?
Get Dell to ship a DVD?
In any case I will use AVMA product keys, so it is only the media that I am missing.
Thanks.
theflash1932
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November 6th, 2017 14:00
MSDN media works, IF you have access. Keep in mind that most people do not. Eval media works just fine.
Dell will only send you the media if you ordered your system with with it (with an OS and the media - it is possible to order an OS but not the media). There is no Dell download for Server OS software.
raviluchmun
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December 5th, 2017 10:00
Similar situation, just purchased a R640 with 2016 DataCentre.
The VMs I created were from DataCentre 2016 evaluation and when I tried to change the key, it would not work.
Called Microsoft and upon checking they advised that I was trying to activate a retail copy of 2016 DC with an OEM key [key which is printed on a sticker on the physical R640 server]
Using the DISM command above helped resolved the issue.
The suggestion from Microsoft was to use OEM media.
Thanks again
dafoxx
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November 5th, 2017 07:00
You should be able to use the DSIM command after installing the OS on a demo key/install.
Can get the evaluation ISO for 2016 via Microsoft's site.- Need to use the datacenter edition on your install
Use theDISM command for activation the guest as of below-
Enter this into CMD or power shell- Admin
DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:YOUR KEY /AcceptEula
Produkey or a similar tool on the host to get its key. and that will work on the Vm, as its unlimited per host- as you may all ready know.
theflash1932
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November 6th, 2017 11:00
KMS won't work to activate it unless you have a KMS licensing server and Microsoft agreement. It WILL get you past an initial prompt for a key when installing, but can't be used for activation. You'll need a real key to activate it.
dafoxx
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November 6th, 2017 11:00
I use KMS the default 2012 KMS key on my server to activate VM's they are 2012 Datacenter- has 3VM's on a hyper V host?
tisraelsen
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November 6th, 2017 13:00
My question is about media.
I know what key to use. In case there is any doubt I am using the keys from this article.
My thought was to use MSDN media and I think I will prefer that over the only alternate proposal: Eval.
Anyone care to comment on whether I could get Dell to ship me a DVD or whether there might be a download somewhere?
tisraelsen
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November 7th, 2017 01:00
Thank you!
lijo_george
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April 18th, 2018 01:00
@dafoxx
This trick WILL NOT work for Windows Server 2016; it works only on Windows Server 2012. To convert an evaluation edition of Windows Server 2016 to a licensed edition, REINSTALL is necessary.
dafoxx
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April 19th, 2018 01:00
@lijo_georgeReinstall it?? If you matched the edtion before installing the OS the key for install ,you can just fine.
you mayalso use the command
slmgr.vbs /ipk YOUR-KEY
Upgradeing might cause issues ive had it get stuck wile doing that..
Did you not read the post above- his worked. :)
lijo_george
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April 21st, 2018 00:00
@dafoxx
Upgrading can be possible theoretically, but not sure if Microsoft really wants us to do it because whenever I try it, I get stuck. Sometimes it doesn't respond for about 1 hour and then accepts the command. Sometimes it is 2 hours or more and sometimes it doesn't work at all. So using DISM cannot be advised to anyone; there's no guarantee that it will work. And most of us use Windows Server for business applications and in such an environment, we need to rely on something that's sure to work.
So my advice: DISM doesn't work anymore with edition change as it used to on Windows Server 2012. If you're looking for an edition change, reinstall is the way to go. Or don't install the evaluation in the first place; always download media from Microsoft VLSC or use the retail disk.