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Windows 2008 Server related queries

Answered Windows 2008 Server related queries

  • Wednesday, April 11, 2012 1:25 PM
     
     
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    Backdrop:

    Server has a Windows 2008 Server Standard  (trail version) currently installed.

    Am not sure, but it might be 32 bit.

    Now we  brought a new license for Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and Enterprise.

    However it says invalid key inspite  of entering the key correctly.

    Doubts:

    1> Am i doing some thing wrong here?

    2> If i need to use this key  do i need to format or is there downgrade/ upgrade option?

    3> Can a 64 bit OS be installed on 32 bit machine?

    The more informed and learned, please help me on these questions.

    Am a novice to this field.

    Thanking you.

    Ravi Bugadikatti

    Ravi Bugadikatti

     

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  • Wednesday, April 11, 2012 5:14 PM
     
     
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    how are you attempting this upgrade? If the server is indeed 32bit and you are attempting to install R2, you will need to do a bare metal install.
     
  • Thursday, April 12, 2012 6:53 AM
     
     
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    Hello Peter,

    Thanks for taking time to reply.

    Am currently not doing any thing. I actually wanted to verify if at all it can be done.

    Looking at your answer, it can be done.

    Can you also throw some light on my 3rd question?

    Can a 64 bit Windows Server 2008 be installed on 32 bit machine?


    Ravi Bugadikatti

     
  • Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:59 AM
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    Hi,

    If you are not sure your current version of Windows Server 2008 Standard, you could type the following command in the run:

    msinfo32

    Then you will get the detailed information about your OS. Since you brought a new license for Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard and Enterprise, the license is only applied to Windows Server 2008 R2 NOT Windows Server 2008.

    Q1: Am I doing something wrong here?
    A1: I have to say yes. You should make sure the version of your server before buying the license you need.

    Q2: If I need to use this key do I need to format or is there downgrade/upgrade option?
    A2: I think the upgrade option is supported, for the detailed information, you could refer to the article below:

    Title: Windows Server 2008 R2 Upgrade Paths
    URL: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=19649

    Q3: Can a 64-bit OS be installed on 32-bit machine?
    A3: Nope, it depends on your CPU. If your CPU is not supported 64-bit processor, it can’t be done. However, 64-bit machine could install 32-bit/64-bit OS.

    At the same time, for more information about the licensing, you could contact the Microsoft Licensing Center to get further help.

    Regards,
    James

    James Xiong

    TechNet Community Support


     
  • Thursday, April 12, 2012 4:09 PM
     
     
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    Hello James,

    Thank you so much for answering so explicitly and patiently.

    Will look up for the information in the link you mentioned.

    Thanks again.

    Ravi Bugadikatti

    Ravi Bugadikatti