0

I am unable to activate Windows Server 2012 R2 installed from scratch on the same computer previously running that version of WS with the same activation key. Is the same computer with the same hardware, but the storage media, previously a RAID 0 configuration and now with a single drive without any RAID configuration.

Things I have tried so far with no avail:

  • Installing from scratch and use the provided key to activate both connected and disconnected from Internet
  • Restoring a backup. Unfortunately the backup is not bootable due the complex partitioning in the previous installation (see more details at the end).
  • Extract tokens.dat file and other relevant files from the backup to restore the activation status.

Things I am yet to test (I would thank if you can suggest what you will try first):

  • Phone activation
  • Set up a RAID drive to mimic previous configuration bit by bit
  • Any other suggestions?

The complex partitioning mentioned at the beginning consisted of 4 2TB SSD drives in RAID 0 (8 TB, hence a GPT partition) in a computer with a non UEFI BIOS and that can only boot from the RAID controller or an USB drive. I moved the boot system (bootmgr.exe and other files) with bcdboot.exe to an SD card and managed to boot Windows. However after an update (I do not remember exactly what KB), it refused to boot. I suppose that at Microsoft they forgot about this boot scenario where the boot files and de Windows folder are not located in the same drive.

Super Rey
  • 111
  • 2
  • Why were you unable to use phone activation? RAID isn’t the reason your unable to activate your installation. – Ramhound Oct 22 '20 at 14:56
  • 1
    Perhaps call Microsoft Server Support. It may be free (Activation) but it would be worth their charge if they wish to charge you. –  Oct 22 '20 at 14:58
  • @Ramhound I didn't say it didn't work, I will try phone activation as soon as I can. I too think RAID has nothing to do with this issue but as I grow older I tend to be suspicious of everything. – Super Rey Oct 22 '20 at 15:04
  • @John you may be right I just wanted to try everything at my hand. – Super Rey Oct 22 '20 at 15:04
  • I think that is what you should do. Please let us know if you call them. I have used them before and they are careful about charging you. –  Oct 22 '20 at 15:10
  • What error do you receive when you try to activate? – RobbieCrash Nov 06 '20 at 20:40
  • Does this answer your question? [Can you help me with my software licensing issue?](https://serverfault.com/questions/215405/can-you-help-me-with-my-software-licensing-issue) – Massimo Nov 06 '20 at 20:57
  • The above comment is a boilerplate because I'm VTC this question; licensing questions (including activation) should be asked to the vendor, we can't do anything about them. – Massimo Nov 06 '20 at 20:58
  • You should go straight to phone activation. – Michael Hampton Nov 06 '20 at 21:36

0 Answers0