2008 Server Installation From Retail DVD & OEM System Builder Key?

Paul1336334253

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I made the mistake of installing a new server with a Windows 2008 R2 Standard Retail DVD (not realizing it was this at the time that I did the install). Since that installation, I've configured the server and otherwise put work into it.

I purchased an OEM key (not really knowing that there were different license types out there at the time of purchase). So now I have an unactivated and unlicensed system that I need to license and activate. I also have a System Builder Windows 2008 Server Standard Edition OEM DVD and license (unopened).

Can I simply use the product key that comes with the OEM DVD to license and activate the server that I've set up, or will I get some sort of nonsense after entering the key that says that the key is invalid for this installation (thus forcing me to reinstall and reconfigure the sever once again to actually use the product key) or will it just work?

If it won't then I'll have to send back the software and purchase a real retail copy (of course, the retail copy is about $300 more than the oem version).
 
Pratically not, but contact Microsoft License Support and explain what happened. They will ask you for both keys and finally they should give you another key.
 
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