Lenovo FAQ for Microsoft OEM licensing

[Pages:7]Lenovo FAQ for Microsoft OEM licensing

(version 1.2, November 16, 2020)

1. How are the various Microsoft OEM SW licenses delivered?

How Microsoft SW licenses are delivered depends on the SW Product that was purchased:

a. Windows Server Base OS licenses b. Additional Server OS licenses c. OS-CALs (Client Access Licenses) d. RDS-CALs (Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses) e. SQL SW Application (bundled or unbundled with a Windows Server OS) f. Additional SQL licenses g. SQL-CALs (Client Access Licenses)

a. Windows Server Base OS licenses Datacenter, Standard and Essentials include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), product key (PK), product software (OS installation DVD), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). Lenovo or Lenovo Resellers will affix the base license COA label to the server chassis (exception being offerings for Windows Server Datacenter w/ Reassignment where the COA remains with the SW Ship group that also contains the OS installation media).

b. Additional Server OS licenses Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The Additional license-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group. Note that there is no product key included as "Additional license" products are proof-of-purchase only.

c. OS-CALs Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The CAL-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrinkwrapped SW Shipgroup. Note that there is no product key included as OS CAL products are proof-of-purchase only.

d. RDS-CALs Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), product key (PK), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The RDS-COA label is affixed to a card contained in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group There is a unique 5x5 product key printed on the RDS CAL label (also see FAQ item #4).

e. SQL SW Application Include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), product key (PK), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The SQL-COA label is affixed to a card contained in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group along with the SQL installation DVD. There is a unique 5x5 product key printed on the SQL label.

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f. Additional SQL licenses Include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The Additional license-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group. Note that there is no product key included as "Additional license" products are proof-ofpurchase only.

g. SQL-CALs Include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The SQL-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group. Note that there is no product key included as OS CAL products are proof-of-purchase only.

Please note that extreme care must be taken to safekeep the provided COA labels (whether they are affixed to the server chassis or contained inside the provided SW ship group) since there is no way for OEM's to "reissue" or "replace" these COA labels.

2. Where is my Microsoft Server OS Activation code?

If you purchased an OEM Microsoft SW offering from Lenovo and it requires an activation code (see FAQ item #1), then it is printed on a COA label similar to the one pictured here (next to "Product Key"):

Most OEM Base OS COAs must be adhered to the server chassis. Depending on the server chassis configuration, the COA label can be found on the top, or the side chassis (typically adjacent to agency labels):

However, due to space constraints, the COA may also be found on the bottom chassis:

Alternatively, please check the SW Pubs that were shipped with your server.

Base OS license products "with reassignment" rights are an exception: Their COA label is attached to a card that is delivered alongside the server shipment as a shrink-wrapped SW Pub kit in a clear Polybag.

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Illustration including a front and back view of the SW Pub kit:

3. Help, my OS activation code does not work!

Here are some of the most common reasons:

a. Silver (security) scratch-off residue: Often this is simply an issue with the silver "rub-off" security paint residue on the Windows Server COA label that can cause certain characters to be mis-read.

For example, consider this partial activation code:

The code above may look like "XT2V8 ? TNVV4" but it is actually "XT2V8 ? TNYV4"

Carefully removing any silver scratch-off residue often resolves the issue.

b. Network connection: Generally, the server must have an active internet network connection in order to communicate with the Microsoft activation servers. If activating a VM, the Host server / Hypervisor should have an active internet connection. If no network connection is available, activation via Microsoft Phone support may be required:

o Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type ""R" to bring up the command box and then enter the following command: "slui 04" and hit "Enter." This will bring up Microsoft's phone activation wizard and provide country specific phone numbers.

c. OS installation performed with non-Lenovo provided OS installation media: Lenovo OEM activation keys only work with Lenovo provided OS installation media. Please see the related FAQ item on "Evaluation images" for an alternative activation method.

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d. Mismatched OS edition: Confirm that the installed OS edition matches what is listed on the Windows Server COA label. The product key from the COA label will only activate the listed OS product.

4. I ordered a ROK "Windows OS + SQL Server" bundle from a Business Partner. Where are my activation codes?

Similar to FAQ Item #2, the "OS+SQL" COA label should have been affixed to the server chassis (top, side or even bottom). Alternatively, please check the SW Pubs that were shipped with your server.

1: The "Primary Key" is the activation code for the OS 2: The "Second Key" is the activation code for SQL

5. Where is my RDS CAL activation code? -orMy RDS CAL activation code is not working.

RDS-CALs for Datacenter and Standard include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), product key (PK), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as the End User Licensing Agreement "EULA"). The RDS-COA label is affixed to a card contained in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group (there is a unique 5x5 product key printed on the RDS CAL label).

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Note: ? The version of RDS CALs must match that of the RDS Host Server's OS. ? The RDS-CALs must be equal or greater than the Session Host Server (server sessions are being

hosted on) ? The License Server OS version must be equal or greater than the Windows RDS- CAL version being

licensed.

For further information please see: License your RDS deployment with client access licenses (CALs)

6. Where is my OS-CAL or SQL-CAL activation code?

CALs for Datacenter and Standard and SQL include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the Microsoft Software License (formerly known as EULA). The CAL-COA label is contained affixed to a card in the shrink-wrapped SW Ship group. Note that there is no product key included as OS-CAL and SQL-CAL products are proof-of-purchase only.

For further information on their use please see:

7. What are my downgrade rights? -orI need a Downgrade kit.

Lenovo offers various "Downgrade" kit offerings at point of sale. If you are considering making use of your Downgrade rights, it is recommended to purchase these Downgrade kits at the same time as the server purchase.

For After Point of Sale Downgrade options, please reference the following link:

Downgrade Kits for Windows Server and SQL Server:

8. My Lenovo provided OS media will not install under VMware ESXi.

When attempting to install Microsoft Windows Server using Lenovo-provided installation media into a virtualized computing environment created by VMware ESXi, the install may fail and an error message similar to this is shown:

"Please check with your computer manufacturer to resolve any issues you are having with this computer. These tools are

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built to only run on Lenovo computers. Since this system is not recognized as a valid system, the installation cannot continue."

Please reference the following Solution:

Unable to install Microsoft Windows Server using Lenovo BIOS-Locked media in VMware ESXi hypervisor:

9. Can I use my Lenovo provided OEM activation code on an image installed with Evaluation or Retail OS images? -orHow can I use my Lenovo MS license in non-VMware or non-MS virtualized environment?

By Microsoft design, the 25-character Activation code (a.k.a. "5x5") that is printed on the Lenovo OS COA label is designed to only work with OS installations that were performed using the provided Lenovo OEM installation media.

However, Microsoft has published a method for license conversion which is outlined here:

Activating Microsoft Server evaluation images using Lenovo OEM activation key:



Additional references: Converting a current evaluation version to a current retail version:

Upgrade and conversion options for Windows Server 2016:



Please note that Lenovo is generally not able to assist with such license conversion workarounds.

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10. The activation code on my COA label is damaged.

Should the 25-character activation code on the COA label become illegible, the "Damaged COA Replacement Process" needs to be employed to assist the customer.

Note that this process requires a digital picture of the damaged COA to start the replacement process that Lenovo will engage in with the Microsoft support team. Please contact your local Sales representative for assistance with the "Damaged COA Replacement Process". Please note that Lenovo cannot "replace" or "reissue" COA labels that have been lost.

11. I lost my OS installation media or my OS media is defective.

Lenovo offers replacement of the Lenovo branded OS installation media should it be lost or becomes

defective. Please contact Lenovo Data Center Support

and request a "Microsoft Media FRU OS DVD". You may also consider FAQ item #9 for a faster alternative.

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