Solved Sysprep - licensing issues ..

Hi


I am having a major issue with a sysprep rollout.


I manage to do the sysprep using the generalize and oobe ... it works perfectly on the client machine but when checking the MAK status on licensing within the microsoft VL portal each machine is showing as a new activation !!!


I was under the impression that if we purchased new machines with OEM licenses then as long as we had at least 1 volume licesne this would allow us to sysprep and roll out the image on the desktops - this was confirmed by microsoft sometime ago .. so we purchased the required VL key which is used in the build.


So I cant understand why after each new one the machine is going out to internet and trying to relicense (using the original VL key)


The problem is that in a few days when I roll out next batch the VL centre will say no more activations.




Please can anyone help ???

That is how MAK's work - each machine is licenced with the same key and and the activation server reduces the count for each. That's why the larger the count the more expensive the MAK.

You may be getting confused with the CSVLK that's used to activate a KMS on a LAN server.

Superfly said:

That is how MAK's work - each machine is licenced with the same key and and the activation server reduces the count for each. That's why the larger the count the more expensive the MAK.

You may be getting confused with the CSVLK that's used to activate a KMS on a LAN serve..

Click to expand...

Hi

So the way forward is to install a KMS server on an internal server and this will allow me to do what I need ?


Thanks
Mike

Yes, KMS allows local activation if that service has been activated with the CSVLK key that applies to the client installations.

Each computer will still have a discrete activation. From the Reimaging Rights Licensing Brief:

7. How do I get the VLKs needed to reimage my product? As a Volume Licensing customer, the VLKs you need should be automatically assigned through the Volume Licensing Service Center. If not, you can request your key through Microsoft Activation Call Centers. Note that if you are an Open License or Open Value customer, you must purchase at least one unit of the licensed product that you want to reimage to obtain access to the product media and receive a key.
8. I want to reimage my OEM Windows 8.1 Pro PCs by using the Multiple Activation Key (MAK) rather than the Key Management Service (KMS). How do I obtain more activation keys, if needed? First, check how many activations are associated with the Windows 8 MAK by going to the VLSC website, product key page, or by using the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT). If you need more activations, call the Activation Call Center and state the reason or email makadd@microsoft.com and include your agreement information, customer name and contact information, business justification for the additional activations requested (for example, reimaging), the product key, and the number of additional activations you would like to add to the key. For more details on Volume Activation, visit Microsoft Volume Licensing - Products and Online Services.

Brandon
Windows Outreach Team- IT Pro
Windows for IT Pros on TechNet