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mspencer100

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I cant install MS Server 2012 STD on my Dell server?

I have a Dell Poweredge Server (1800) it Had MS Server 2012 STD installed on it (trial version), I reconfigured the drives and purchased a retail version of Microsoft Server 2012 STD R2. but when i try to do the install from DVD it loads ok, i load the disk drivers, it sees the RAID 1 and RAID 5 I choose the boot drive, it continues the install normally then when it reboots i get an error that says the PC needs to be rebooted with a dump of some sort, it flashes on the screen too quickly to see, just a block of text in the upper left then the reboot. then the loop of reboots. But if i put in a DELL re-install DVD (that didn't come with this server so i don't have a DELL OS key) it starts up loads and installs the OS without a problem? Why can i get there with a DELL DVD but not an Retail version. the system is 64bit and both OS DVDs are for 64bit?
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Cliff Galiher
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2012 and 2012 R2 are definitely different OSes, despite the similarity in name and the year difference in release cycle. An old PowerEdge (not even an R series) is often simply not able to handle 2012 R2.
sounds like it is stopping with a blue screen
2012 is not supported on that server; 2000/2003/2008/2008 R2 are
I'm not aware of any R-series servers that won't handle 2012 R2. Even some of the older 9G systems run it ok, BUT like Seth said, 2012 is not an officially supported OS on that system - there may or may not be a good reason for that.

There are SCSI support changes between 2012 and 2012 R2 that has caused some incompatibilities on some 8G machines and the 2012 drivers for them, so that is likely what you are up against. The 2800 (same generation as 1800) also runs 2012 but not 2012 R2, so if you are using a SCSI controller, you might be out of luck.
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mspencer100

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well I had it installed with the trial and i also installed just 2012 STD with out issue and STD R2 from the Dell DVD's so it will install and run just not sure why the Dell DVDs work but not the Retail versions. Is there a way to change the Key after i install the Dell version and enter the Retail key. Can that work? Like i said i have a new Valid Retail Key and I can only get the Dell DVD to install correctly, so once installed from the Dell DVD if I can just re-key with the retail version that would work.

Thanks
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PowerEdgeTech
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Please understand,
Windows Server 2012 (my understanding is the trial version that you installed on it).
Windows Server 2012 R2 (your retail version)
Are DIFFERENT versions of Windows with DIFFERENT keys that cannot be used interchangably.

Had you purchased the Volume License version of 2012 R2 instead of the retail, you'd have EASY access to downgrade media and keys.  NEVER BUY RETAIL!  (OR OEM) for server licenses in my opinion unless that is literally the only option.

I believe you CAN downgrade you existing retail copy (read your license agreement) BUT, YOU need to provide the media and keys for the older 2012 license.  And of course, a trial key won't work.

Can you post the service tag of the server so we can look up the specs and confirm compatibility / details?
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