Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

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ScottD

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I have just spent two hours on the phone with M$ bouncing from techs and
customer support reps trying to find someone who can help me install this
@#$%# 5-user CAL.

This used to be easy.


I have a properly activated Windows 2003 Server R2, Standard Edition. I
ordered a Windows Client Access License for an additional 5 users.

I got M$'s white cardboard envelope by UPS that only has a greenish slip of
paper in it, no disk media. The paper says it is "genuine" and that it is the
CAL I paid for.

Cool so far.

I go to "Server Management" tool, click "Licensing" and there is an "Add
License" wizard link. The form that appears asks me whether to connect by
phone or Internet, but either choice gives me another screen asking for a 25
character license code which I cannot find anywhere on the green paper or on
the cardboard envelope.

I called M$ support, and got bounced from department to department for over
two hours and nobody could help. I kept getting "Volume Licensing/Terminal
Server" license dept, and other stuff.

Does somebody here know the number to call for help with CALs? Maybe I am
the dumbass here who doesn't know where the license code is written (maybe it
is invisible ink and I need to iron the paper???)

I knew M$ loved to confuse consumers with over-complicated choices, but now
they've confused themselves and can't direct folks to the help they need.

Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I hoped that
either M$ would respond, or some other user who has a clue for me.

Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

hello,

strange to send paper through UPS which is expensive just for paper...
Since you read every line of this paper, maybe they forgot the paper with
the license number inside ?

--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B43BA9E5-94ED-45A1-B4ED-A849656E1825@microsoft.com...
>I have just spent two hours on the phone with M$ bouncing from techs and
> customer support reps trying to find someone who can help me install this
> @#$%# 5-user CAL.
>
> This used to be easy.
>
>
> I have a properly activated Windows 2003 Server R2, Standard Edition. I
> ordered a Windows Client Access License for an additional 5 users.
>
> I got M$'s white cardboard envelope by UPS that only has a greenish slip
> of
> paper in it, no disk media. The paper says it is "genuine" and that it is
> the
> CAL I paid for.
>
> Cool so far.
>
> I go to "Server Management" tool, click "Licensing" and there is an "Add
> License" wizard link. The form that appears asks me whether to connect by
> phone or Internet, but either choice gives me another screen asking for a
> 25
> character license code which I cannot find anywhere on the green paper or
> on
> the cardboard envelope.
>
> I called M$ support, and got bounced from department to department for
> over
> two hours and nobody could help. I kept getting "Volume Licensing/Terminal
> Server" license dept, and other stuff.
>
> Does somebody here know the number to call for help with CALs? Maybe I am
> the dumbass here who doesn't know where the license code is written (maybe
> it
> is invisible ink and I need to iron the paper???)
>
> I knew M$ loved to confuse consumers with over-complicated choices, but
> now
> they've confused themselves and can't direct folks to the help they need.
>
> Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I hoped that
> either M$ would respond, or some other user who has a clue for me.
>
> Thanks for any help you can offer.
>
>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

Hi ScottD,

The License Manager in Windows has always been pretty flaky. If you are NOT
running SBS 2003 then i would just disable the license manager service
altogether (by default 2003 should have installed with it disabled).
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316631/en-us Microsoft really just cares
now that you have the piece of paper to prove you have purchased licenses (i
dont recall offhand what is exactly on the license paper though).
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824196
If however you are talking about the Terminal Server CALs, that is another
story.

Coraleigh Miller


"ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B43BA9E5-94ED-45A1-B4ED-A849656E1825@microsoft.com...
>I have just spent two hours on the phone with M$ bouncing from techs and
> customer support reps trying to find someone who can help me install this
> @#$%# 5-user CAL.
>
> This used to be easy.
>
>
> I have a properly activated Windows 2003 Server R2, Standard Edition. I
> ordered a Windows Client Access License for an additional 5 users.
>
> I got M$'s white cardboard envelope by UPS that only has a greenish slip
> of
> paper in it, no disk media. The paper says it is "genuine" and that it is
> the
> CAL I paid for.
>
> Cool so far.
>
> I go to "Server Management" tool, click "Licensing" and there is an "Add
> License" wizard link. The form that appears asks me whether to connect by
> phone or Internet, but either choice gives me another screen asking for a
> 25
> character license code which I cannot find anywhere on the green paper or
> on
> the cardboard envelope.
>
> I called M$ support, and got bounced from department to department for
> over
> two hours and nobody could help. I kept getting "Volume Licensing/Terminal
> Server" license dept, and other stuff.
>
> Does somebody here know the number to call for help with CALs? Maybe I am
> the dumbass here who doesn't know where the license code is written (maybe
> it
> is invisible ink and I need to iron the paper???)
>
> I knew M$ loved to confuse consumers with over-complicated choices, but
> now
> they've confused themselves and can't direct folks to the help they need.
>
> Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I hoped that
> either M$ would respond, or some other user who has a clue for me.
>
> Thanks for any help you can offer.
>
>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

That is my thought -- or that the blank area on the greenish 'certificate' is
supposed to contain the license code.

Meanwhile, getting routed to someone helpful at microsoft is proving to be
impossible. Actually, I have spoken to several sincere and nice folks who
_want_ to help, but the bloated and fragmented structure at ms confuses even
the ms employees.

Scott

"Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:

> hello,
>
> strange to send paper through UPS which is expensive just for paper...
> Since you read every line of this paper, maybe they forgot the paper with
> the license number inside ?
>
> --
> Cordialement,
> Mathieu CHATEAU
> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>
>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

Thanks Coraleigh,

I do happen to have SBS 2003, and saw in the KB links you provided that my
client would really be unhappy if I disabled the License Manager ;-)

I guess I will keep searching and calling ms until I get someone who can
figure out this mystery. I would hate to get farther down the road and find
it was my 'duh', but I'd be willing to live with that answer.

Your help is most appreciated.

Scott

"Coraleigh Miller" wrote:

> Hi ScottD,
>
> The License Manager in Windows has always been pretty flaky. If you are NOT
> running SBS 2003 then i would just disable the license manager service
> altogether (by default 2003 should have installed with it disabled).
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316631/en-us Microsoft really just cares
> now that you have the piece of paper to prove you have purchased licenses (i
> dont recall offhand what is exactly on the license paper though).
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824196
> If however you are talking about the Terminal Server CALs, that is another
> story.
>
> Coraleigh Miller
>
>
> "ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:B43BA9E5-94ED-45A1-B4ED-A849656E1825@microsoft.com...
> >I have just spent two hours on the phone with M$ bouncing from techs and
> > customer support reps trying to find someone who can help me install this
> > @#$%# 5-user CAL.
> >
> > This used to be easy.
> >
> >
> > I have a properly activated Windows 2003 Server R2, Standard Edition. I
> > ordered a Windows Client Access License for an additional 5 users.
> >
> > I got M$'s white cardboard envelope by UPS that only has a greenish slip
> > of
> > paper in it, no disk media. The paper says it is "genuine" and that it is
> > the
> > CAL I paid for.
> >
> > Cool so far.
> >
> > I go to "Server Management" tool, click "Licensing" and there is an "Add
> > License" wizard link. The form that appears asks me whether to connect by
> > phone or Internet, but either choice gives me another screen asking for a
> > 25
> > character license code which I cannot find anywhere on the green paper or
> > on
> > the cardboard envelope.
> >
> > I called M$ support, and got bounced from department to department for
> > over
> > two hours and nobody could help. I kept getting "Volume Licensing/Terminal
> > Server" license dept, and other stuff.
> >
> > Does somebody here know the number to call for help with CALs? Maybe I am
> > the dumbass here who doesn't know where the license code is written (maybe
> > it
> > is invisible ink and I need to iron the paper???)
> >
> > I knew M$ loved to confuse consumers with over-complicated choices, but
> > now
> > they've confused themselves and can't direct folks to the help they need.
> >
> > Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I hoped that
> > either M$ would respond, or some other user who has a clue for me.
> >
> > Thanks for any help you can offer.
> >
> >
>
>
>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

Maybe your sale's representative may get in touch more apropriate people..
In all these papers, no procedure to enjoy your cal ?

--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E530A6EF-6589-4C16-A2BC-F8AE21E5A0CE@microsoft.com...
> That is my thought -- or that the blank area on the greenish 'certificate'
> is
> supposed to contain the license code.
>
> Meanwhile, getting routed to someone helpful at microsoft is proving to be
> impossible. Actually, I have spoken to several sincere and nice folks who
> _want_ to help, but the bloated and fragmented structure at ms confuses
> even
> the ms employees.
>
> Scott
>
> "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
>
>> hello,
>>
>> strange to send paper through UPS which is expensive just for paper...
>> Since you read every line of this paper, maybe they forgot the paper with
>> the license number inside ?
>>
>> --
>> Cordialement,
>> Mathieu CHATEAU
>> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>>
>>
>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

Would you mind buying 5 more to check if they forgot one paper in the UPS
pack ? ;)

--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8E297079-ABFD-4D3C-BA85-946E28ECE190@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Coraleigh,
>
> I do happen to have SBS 2003, and saw in the KB links you provided that my
> client would really be unhappy if I disabled the License Manager ;-)
>
> I guess I will keep searching and calling ms until I get someone who can
> figure out this mystery. I would hate to get farther down the road and
> find
> it was my 'duh', but I'd be willing to live with that answer.
>
> Your help is most appreciated.
>
> Scott
>
> "Coraleigh Miller" wrote:
>
>> Hi ScottD,
>>
>> The License Manager in Windows has always been pretty flaky. If you are
>> NOT
>> running SBS 2003 then i would just disable the license manager service
>> altogether (by default 2003 should have installed with it disabled).
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316631/en-us Microsoft really just
>> cares
>> now that you have the piece of paper to prove you have purchased licenses
>> (i
>> dont recall offhand what is exactly on the license paper though).
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824196
>> If however you are talking about the Terminal Server CALs, that is
>> another
>> story.
>>
>> Coraleigh Miller
>>
>>
>> "ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:B43BA9E5-94ED-45A1-B4ED-A849656E1825@microsoft.com...
>> >I have just spent two hours on the phone with M$ bouncing from techs and
>> > customer support reps trying to find someone who can help me install
>> > this
>> > @#$%# 5-user CAL.
>> >
>> > This used to be easy.
>> >
>> >
>> > I have a properly activated Windows 2003 Server R2, Standard Edition. I
>> > ordered a Windows Client Access License for an additional 5 users.
>> >
>> > I got M$'s white cardboard envelope by UPS that only has a greenish
>> > slip
>> > of
>> > paper in it, no disk media. The paper says it is "genuine" and that it
>> > is
>> > the
>> > CAL I paid for.
>> >
>> > Cool so far.
>> >
>> > I go to "Server Management" tool, click "Licensing" and there is an
>> > "Add
>> > License" wizard link. The form that appears asks me whether to connect
>> > by
>> > phone or Internet, but either choice gives me another screen asking for
>> > a
>> > 25
>> > character license code which I cannot find anywhere on the green paper
>> > or
>> > on
>> > the cardboard envelope.
>> >
>> > I called M$ support, and got bounced from department to department for
>> > over
>> > two hours and nobody could help. I kept getting "Volume
>> > Licensing/Terminal
>> > Server" license dept, and other stuff.
>> >
>> > Does somebody here know the number to call for help with CALs? Maybe I
>> > am
>> > the dumbass here who doesn't know where the license code is written
>> > (maybe
>> > it
>> > is invisible ink and I need to iron the paper???)
>> >
>> > I knew M$ loved to confuse consumers with over-complicated choices,
>> > but
>> > now
>> > they've confused themselves and can't direct folks to the help they
>> > need.
>> >
>> > Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I hoped that
>> > either M$ would respond, or some other user who has a clue for me.
>> >
>> > Thanks for any help you can offer.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

Well, Mathieu, that is what I am going to have to do. I have ordered another
5-user CAL -- this one is a SKU that specifies SBS. I will see if I can
return this other certificate to my vendor or sell it on eBay.

Thanks to you all for your input and help!

Scott D


"Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:

> Would you mind buying 5 more to check if they forgot one paper in the UPS
> pack ? ;)
>
> --
> Cordialement,
> Mathieu CHATEAU
> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>
>
 
Re: Help with CAL for Win2K3 Server

!!! this was supposed to be a joke!

--
Cordialement,
Mathieu CHATEAU
http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com


"ScottD" <ScottD@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:22479851-9CC8-47D5-A796-43D984ACED96@microsoft.com...
> Well, Mathieu, that is what I am going to have to do. I have ordered
> another
> 5-user CAL -- this one is a SKU that specifies SBS. I will see if I can
> return this other certificate to my vendor or sell it on eBay.
>
> Thanks to you all for your input and help!
>
> Scott D
>
>
> "Mathieu CHATEAU" wrote:
>
>> Would you mind buying 5 more to check if they forgot one paper in the UPS
>> pack ? ;)
>>
>> --
>> Cordialement,
>> Mathieu CHATEAU
>> http://lordoftheping.blogspot.com
>>
>>
>
 
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