Windows Server 2003 Lost CD
I have a customer that we sold a system to and provided the installation CD and Product Key sticker. 6 months later their hard drive crashed and we now have the server back in our office(with the product key stuck to it) but no CD. We put a new drive into the server and then proceeded to install using one of our own installation CD's. when we got to the page to enter product key it said it was not valid.
I think I have worked out that our own CD is not exactly the same as the one needed for the specific key that we have on the sticker.
When I insert our CD it tells me it is 'Windows Server 2003, standard edition'
The product key sticker from our customer has the following information
Windows Svr Std 2003 1-4CPU 5Clt - P73-00654
The customer cannot find the CD and I have tried all my contacts to get a copy with no luck
I did find a website that had some 'replacement media' deals but I suspect they got shut down because they were not legit.
Tried microsoft but being in the UK I can't find a really easy way to get a replacement disk
Any ideas on how I can get a replacement disk or make the one I have compatable with the key that I have
I think I have worked out that our own CD is not exactly the same as the one needed for the specific key that we have on the sticker.
When I insert our CD it tells me it is 'Windows Server 2003, standard edition'
The product key sticker from our customer has the following information
Windows Svr Std 2003 1-4CPU 5Clt - P73-00654
The customer cannot find the CD and I have tried all my contacts to get a copy with no luck
I did find a website that had some 'replacement media' deals but I suspect they got shut down because they were not legit.
Tried microsoft but being in the UK I can't find a really easy way to get a replacement disk
Any ideas on how I can get a replacement disk or make the one I have compatable with the key that I have
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ASKER
Ok, follow up.....
omegamueller - I got the copy of the CD I am trying from someone else and cannot use thier code to install it. We are not a tech net member. Might have to try microsoft.
BLipman - I thought that was the case with the OEM/retail/openlic keys. I don't know anyone with the correct version.
TheCleaner - We did sell the system and provided them with the sticker and original CD. We have supplied a few systems like this but did not retain or copy the CD. We have 2003 server SB ourselves and obviously that is not going to work. The thing is we usually deal with very small networks of 5 or less, running XP and they work Peer-to-peer. Because of this we don't keep a stock of w2003 server or as we now have found 'a copy/backup'.
TechSoEasy - Great info, did you find that info somewhere? if so where?
Everyone - Thanks for the help so far. Does anyone know how I can find out what version a cd is by looking at the files on the CD? I know this will probably not help me now but I am curious.
Thanks
omegamueller - I got the copy of the CD I am trying from someone else and cannot use thier code to install it. We are not a tech net member. Might have to try microsoft.
BLipman - I thought that was the case with the OEM/retail/openlic keys. I don't know anyone with the correct version.
TheCleaner - We did sell the system and provided them with the sticker and original CD. We have supplied a few systems like this but did not retain or copy the CD. We have 2003 server SB ourselves and obviously that is not going to work. The thing is we usually deal with very small networks of 5 or less, running XP and they work Peer-to-peer. Because of this we don't keep a stock of w2003 server or as we now have found 'a copy/backup'.
TechSoEasy - Great info, did you find that info somewhere? if so where?
Everyone - Thanks for the help so far. Does anyone know how I can find out what version a cd is by looking at the files on the CD? I know this will probably not help me now but I am curious.
Thanks
TechSoEasy is saying you need the OEM key/CD but I disagree based on what the author said.
It sounded like the author provided them with the CD and sticker, which would say "retail copy", not OEM.
I think the author's choices now are:
1) Sell the client another retail copy
2) Suck up the costs themselves by purchasing a retail copy, and using that CD to install and use the client's CD KEY. Then retain the retail CD and key it came with at the author's business for either a future sell, or for cases like this again.
3) same as #2 but author calls MS and orders a retail CD media only (although I don't know if they sell it like that, I know they do with volume license media).
It sounded like the author provided them with the CD and sticker, which would say "retail copy", not OEM.
I think the author's choices now are:
1) Sell the client another retail copy
2) Suck up the costs themselves by purchasing a retail copy, and using that CD to install and use the client's CD KEY. Then retain the retail CD and key it came with at the author's business for either a future sell, or for cases like this again.
3) same as #2 but author calls MS and orders a retail CD media only (although I don't know if they sell it like that, I know they do with volume license media).
ASKER
TheCleaner -
Yes, we provided the customer with the CD and sticker and it was the OEM version.
We have either a retail or other installation CD that does not work with the key we have that is stuck to the side of the case.
of the choices
1) Sell the client another retail copy
- The client has agreed to buy another copy as it is thier fault they lost the CD in the first place.
2) Suck up the costs
- Good idea but we don't know when we will sell another copy so not really possible
3) same as #2 but author calls MS
- This is looking like what we need to do as customer will pay the cost of replacement CD. I have not really looked but this could be a difficult option being based in the UK.
Yes, we provided the customer with the CD and sticker and it was the OEM version.
We have either a retail or other installation CD that does not work with the key we have that is stuck to the side of the case.
of the choices
1) Sell the client another retail copy
- The client has agreed to buy another copy as it is thier fault they lost the CD in the first place.
2) Suck up the costs
- Good idea but we don't know when we will sell another copy so not really possible
3) same as #2 but author calls MS
- This is looking like what we need to do as customer will pay the cost of replacement CD. I have not really looked but this could be a difficult option being based in the UK.
farker1,
Not to dispute you, but are you sure it was an OEM CD? Are you an actual OEM that can sell equipment with an OEM license? (I ask, cause I'm not certain how it works, but figured you'd have to be a fairly big shop that sells hardware often for this to be so).
Not to dispute you, but are you sure it was an OEM CD? Are you an actual OEM that can sell equipment with an OEM license? (I ask, cause I'm not certain how it works, but figured you'd have to be a fairly big shop that sells hardware often for this to be so).
ASKER
TheCleaner,
I am pretty sure it was OEM CD. As Microsoft states, OEM software can only be distributed with a 'fully assembled system' and that is what was supplied. In fact that is how we bought it in the first place. And another option I have already tried is to try and get a replacement from our supplier(without any luck).
I may be wrong but I didn't think you needed to be 'big' to supply OEM software, I thought the OEM means that it needs to be supplied as part of a package that microsoft now state is a 'fully assembled system'. I believe they did this to stop people selling a cheap copy of OEM software with a broken hard drive thrown in for pennies and getting around it that way. Microsoft also state that OEM software is exactly the same as retail without the fancy packaging.
I am pretty sure it was OEM CD. As Microsoft states, OEM software can only be distributed with a 'fully assembled system' and that is what was supplied. In fact that is how we bought it in the first place. And another option I have already tried is to try and get a replacement from our supplier(without any luck).
I may be wrong but I didn't think you needed to be 'big' to supply OEM software, I thought the OEM means that it needs to be supplied as part of a package that microsoft now state is a 'fully assembled system'. I believe they did this to stop people selling a cheap copy of OEM software with a broken hard drive thrown in for pennies and getting around it that way. Microsoft also state that OEM software is exactly the same as retail without the fancy packaging.
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If that's the case, I would assume you should have another retail CD around your business somewhere (my assumption is based on them not being your only customer, lol), and you may be just using an OEM or Volume License CD instead.