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Server 2012 R2 Licence activation

I have bought a Server 2012 R2 Standard Licence. I understand that this allows me to run one host OS and two virtual machines and install Server 2012 R2 on them too.

My question is how do i activate these three licences.

I have activated the 2 VM licences using my licence key but when I come to activate the host OS the key isnt accepted.

Is there a specific order that I should activate these 3 OSs. Thinking about it now it would have been more sensible to activate the host OS first.

What do I need to do to activate the host OS?

Lee W, MVP

Yes, you need to activate the host OS. Is the host doing ANYTHING other Hyper-V? Such as file server, AD, DHCP, DNS, etc.? If so you need to remove those roles - the host can ONLY run Hyper-V.

Have you tried phone activation? What is the error message?

roy_batty

ASKER

No the host has 5Nine anti-virus security software on it and Altaro for backup. Other than that its just a Hyper-V machine - not even added to a domain.

How do I then deactivate the guests and then activate the host?

Lee W, MVP

You don't deactivate the guests - EVERYTHING must be activated. Again, what is the error message? Have you tried phone activation.

roy_batty

ASKER

The error I am seeing is "This key didn't work, please check it a try again."

I have just spoken to the phone activation people and they say I need to talk to tech support who don't work weekends.

I will cal them tomorrow.

In the mean time I was hoping there was something I could do myself.

SOLUTION

Lee W, MVP

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roy_batty

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roy_batty

ASKER

Thanks for the help here Lee.