Windows Server requires activation after motherboard replacement

Article Summary: This article provides information on Windows Server activation required after a motherboard replacement

Issue:

The Windows Server Product ID activation status shows Not activated after replacing the motherboard in a PowerEdge server.
 

Solution:

Log on to the server using the local or domain Administrator account, open an elevated command prompt and perform the following steps to clear the product key, remove the product key, install the correct 5x5 product key and activate Windows. 

     1.  Press the Windows Logo+R, type runas /user:administrator@domain.local cmd where domain.local is replaced by the name of the Active Directory domain or local server name and press Enter. The same task can be accomplished using the Command Prompt and Run as Administrator.

     2. Type the Administrator account password when prompted and press Enter. 

     3. Type slmgr.vbs /ckms and press Enter to clear the product key. A Windows Script Host dialogue box should appear "Key Management Service machine cleared successfully." Click OK to dismiss the dialogue box.

     4. Type slmgr.vbs /upk and press Enter remove the product key. A Windows Script Host dialogue box should appear "Uninstalled product key successfully." Click OK to dismiss the dialogue box.


     5. Type slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX and press Enter to install the correct 5x5 product key. The 5x5 product key can be found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for the server. A Windows Script Host dialogue box should appear "Installed product key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX successfully." Click OK to dismiss the dialogue box.

     6. Type slmgr.vbs /ato and press Enter activate Windows. A Windows Script Host should appear "Product activated successfully." Click OK to dismiss the dialogue box.

Additional Information:

Product activation status in Windows Server can be determined using the following method.

Log on to the server using the local or domain Administrator account, open an elevated command prompt and perform the following steps to check product activation status. The License Status: Licensed indicates the correct product key has been entered and the product has been activated successfully.

     1.  Press the Windows Logo+R, type runas /user:administrator@domain.local cmd where domain.local is replaced by the name of the Active Directory domain or local server name and press Enter. The same task can be accomplished using the Command Prompt and Run as Administrator.

     2. Type the Administrator account password when prompted and press Enter. 

     3. Type slmgr.vbs /dli and press Enter.

    

    
 

This information applies to Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

The use of slmgr.vbs is operating system version-specific.

Information about slmgr.vbs can be found on TechNet.