Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition 32bit OEM

Does MS still support this OS? I have a techie onsite at a client and he needs to do a clean install of the OS. The client has the OEM disk but cannot locate the cd-key. Would anyone be so kind and perhaps help me out here? Does anyone have a working cd-key I can try just to get the OS up and running.

They took a Belarc snapshot of the server and are not trying to locate that information.

....What I am asking is probably extremely unorthodox but I am desperate and understand if nobody is able to or wants to help.

Thanks

If you look on google.. you will find a billion keys within moments. Just tell google EXACTLY what you are looking for.

Sorry for my untethical post here guys.. but its not like im telling a secret or anything. Just the truth :)

been there..done that.....next....

I am sure this request is either going to get me frowned upon or banned... ;(

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Originally Posted by bradlesliect

been there..done that.....next....

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Are you saying that you tried the keys found by searching, and they didn't work? If so, kind of a rude way of doing so...

In my experience, OEM copies only work reliably on the systems they were intended for. Hence Original Equipment Manufacturer. When I worked for IBM/Lenovo, a reinstall with an OEM disk did not require a product key, it pulled it from ROM on the system. But if you tried to install that same version on another type of system, it wouldn't work correctly.

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Originally Posted by bradlesliect

been there..done that.....next....

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wow...sounds like yer batting a 1000 this week

MLF

its all is a day's work....

Sounds like you need to study up a bit bud. This is skiddy stuff and you're trying to support clients.

Start here:
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx

Plan to study for several months just to become adequate at supporting MS stuff.

I realize I'm being a jerk, but as stated above...it's just honest. You can't expect to adequately support clients if you don't know how to get ahold of a product key or reset a password here and there....or use an OEM disc.

Keezal....hmmm... i REALLY trying hard to ignore your comments as I think my response might be really mean so...the following response....

1. I DID not LOSE or MISPLACE the OS cd key.
2. I WAS NOT responsible for this client network or server.
3. I have administered many client networks and servers in the past and not knowing this I think you should reserve comment and try to offer assistance if you can, if not, then you know what to do.

I think you taking a rather below the belt and rather cheap shot...so savie

As I said this was an UNORTHODOX and UNETHICAL request but I had no other choice. I have also since discovered there is some bad karma between this company and there previous IT Support Provider...

Anyone else want to want to take a kick at me..... ;(

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Anyone else want to want to take a kick at me..... ;(

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Yeah, me :lildevil:

Have a look at the box...........physically that is............. there should be a sticker on it somewhere (inside perhaps?) that has the "product key"

Unless things are different over with you, I would say that "CD Keys" no longer exist. Any old CD will work, but you need a valid Product Key.

I don't have one for you, but I will take a look & make enquiries;)

We don't post access codes here (on AO that is)............... but in a personal communication between members.......................

I do not see that there is any real market for pirated Windows Server 2003, so I take the view that this has to be a genuine request?

I must admit that I have never done this with 2003 server, but if it is still running and you go into >control panel>system> you should see your key?

I would be interested in any comments on that.