Restoring OEM SBS 2003 to different hardware after catrastrophe

We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
clueless about MS licensing...

If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
option (bare-metal to different hardware).

1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
since it is an OEM version?
3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can e transfered via a disaster restore?

Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
short period of time to validate that everything works.

....How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
scenario with MS licensing?

The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.

There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new hardware.



--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVPs
Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
Real World Answers
---------------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly regarding issues

"brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
clueless about MS licensing...

If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
option (bare-metal to different hardware).

1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
since it is an OEM version?
3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can e transfered via a disaster restore?

Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
short period of time to validate that everything works.

...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
scenario with MS licensing?

So then this highlights the 4th question in my post:
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can be transfered via a disaster restore?

It sounds like if one actually purchases and use OEM SBS , you are giving up
the ability to every have a real disaster recovery plan in the future?

If this is not the case, then what might a disaster recovery plan look like
for OEM SBS 2003?

-Brian

"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.
>
> There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new hardware.
>
>
>
> --
> Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
> -------------------------------------------------
> Microsoft MVPs
> Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
> Real World Answers
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>
> "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
> We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
> Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
> clueless about MS licensing...
>
> If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
> can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
> option (bare-metal to different hardware).
>
> 1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
> 2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
> since it is an OEM version?
> 3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
> SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
> 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
> can e transfered via a disaster restore?
>
> Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
> to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
> short period of time to validate that everything works.
>
> ...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
> scenario with MS licensing?

You are pretty much spot on
If you have a castastrophic hardware failure, you are somewhat screwed. You buy a new copy of SBS 2003

No, there is no option to "upgrade" OEM software to non-oem

Volume licensing or Full Retail copies are the only ones that can restore to new hardware


--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVPs
Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
Real World Answers
---------------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly regarding issues

"brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:8256B0D3-713A-4EE1-942C-6678E46B3B4D@microsoft.com...

So then this highlights the 4th question in my post:
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can be transfered via a disaster restore?

It sounds like if one actually purchases and use OEM SBS , you are giving up
the ability to every have a real disaster recovery plan in the future?

If this is not the case, then what might a disaster recovery plan look like
for OEM SBS 2003?

-Brian

"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.
>
> There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new hardware.
>
>
>
> --
> Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
> -------------------------------------------------
> Microsoft MVPs
> Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
> Real World Answers
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>
> "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
> We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
> Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
> clueless about MS licensing...
>
> If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
> can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
> option (bare-metal to different hardware).
>
> 1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
> 2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
> since it is an OEM version?
> 3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
> SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
> 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
> can e transfered via a disaster restore?
>
> Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
> to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
> short period of time to validate that everything works.
>
> ...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
> scenario with MS licensing?

Cris, thanks for your feedback!

I ran across the following post that seems to indicate that it is possible
to "upgrade" OEM SBS 2003 Standard SP1 to SBS 2003 Priemium R2 by purchasing
a NON-OEM version of SBS Premium R2...

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Netw..._22732370.html

I'm willing to 're-buy' licenses if necessary, but I'd rather not have to
reconfigure the entire server again...

"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> You are pretty much spot on
> If you have a castastrophic hardware failure, you are somewhat screwed. You buy a new copy of SBS 2003
>
> No, there is no option to "upgrade" OEM software to non-oem
>
> Volume licensing or Full Retail copies are the only ones that can restore to new hardware
>
>
> --
> Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
> -------------------------------------------------
> Microsoft MVPs
> Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
> Real World Answers
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>
> "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:8256B0D3-713A-4EE1-942C-6678E46B3B4D@microsoft.com...
>
> So then this highlights the 4th question in my post:
> 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
> can be transfered via a disaster restore?
>
> It sounds like if one actually purchases and use OEM SBS , you are giving up
> the ability to every have a real disaster recovery plan in the future?
>
> If this is not the case, then what might a disaster recovery plan look like
> for OEM SBS 2003?
>
> -Brian
>
> "Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:
>
> > The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.
> >
> > There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new hardware.
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
> > -------------------------------------------------
> > Microsoft MVPs
> > Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
> > Real World Answers
> > ---------------------------------------------------------
> > Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
> >
> > "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
> > We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
> > Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
> > clueless about MS licensing...
> >
> > If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
> > can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
> > option (bare-metal to different hardware).
> >
> > 1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
> > 2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
> > since it is an OEM version?
> > 3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
> > SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
> > 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
> > can e transfered via a disaster restore?
> >
> > Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
> > to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
> > short period of time to validate that everything works.
> >
> > ...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
> > scenario with MS licensing?

brianadkins <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Cris, thanks for your feedback!
>
> I ran across the following post that seems to indicate that it is
> possible to "upgrade" OEM SBS 2003 Standard SP1 to SBS 2003 Priemium
> R2 by purchasing a NON-OEM version of SBS Premium R2...
>
> http://www.experts-exchange.com/Netw..._22732370.html
>
> I'm willing to 're-buy' licenses if necessary, but I'd rather not
> have to reconfigure the entire server again...

AFAIK, if you buy & can show you own the licenses you're OK (at least in the
"spirit of the law" sense; this may depend on how thin you like your ice).
There is nothing about the OEM media/install that will physically prevent
you from reinstalling on new hardware - it's a legal rather than a software
restriction.

That said, you can and should contact MS Licensing directly (or your trusted
reseller) about this to confirm anything license related.

I always buy volume license or retail rather than OEM nowadays, as I don't
like to get painted into a corner.

>
> "Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:
>
>> You are pretty much spot on
>> If you have a castastrophic hardware failure, you are somewhat
>> screwed. You buy a new copy of SBS 2003
>>
>> No, there is no option to "upgrade" OEM software to non-oem
>>
>> Volume licensing or Full Retail copies are the only ones that can
>> restore to new hardware
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
>> -------------------------------------------------
>> Microsoft MVPs
>> Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
>> Real World Answers
>> ---------------------------------------------------------
>> Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>>
>> "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:8256B0D3-713A-4EE1-942C-6678E46B3B4D@microsoft.com...
>>
>> So then this highlights the 4th question in my post:
>> 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM
>> version that can be transfered via a disaster restore?
>>
>> It sounds like if one actually purchases and use OEM SBS , you are
>> giving up the ability to every have a real disaster recovery plan
>> in the future?
>>
>> If this is not the case, then what might a disaster recovery plan
>> look like for OEM SBS 2003?
>>
>> -Brian
>>
>> "Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:
>>
>> > The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any
>> OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on
>> new hardware. > > There are certain circumstances under warranty
>> situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is
>> tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new
>> hardware. > > >
>> > --
>> > Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
>> > -------------------------------------------------
>> > Microsoft MVPs
>> > Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
>> > Real World Answers
>> > ---------------------------------------------------------
>> > Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>> >
>> > "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
>> > We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes
>> and are using > Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore
>> option. However, I'm pretty > clueless about MS licensing... >
>> > If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis
>> image that we > can restore to a different piece of hardware
>> using the Universal Restore > option (bare-metal to different
>> hardware). >
>> > 1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
>> > 2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new
>> hardware platform > since it is an OEM version?
>> > 3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server
>> 2003 instead of > SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
>> > 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM
>> version that > can e transfered via a disaster restore?
>> >
>> > Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan,
>> we would need > to activate Windows Server on the new
>> (different) hardware platform for a > short period of time to
>> validate that everything works. >
>> > ...How are other companies working through this same disaster
>> recovery > scenario with MS licensing?

I had thought if you purchased Software Assurance on an OEM version within 90 days it converts it to retail, meaning it could be transferred (or something like that...)

Also, on a related note do you happen to know if the "Retail Upgrade" T75-00750 version (we upgraded from SBS 4.5) of SBS2003 is considered transferrable?

Thanks.

--
Allan Williams



"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" <crisnospamhanna@cpunospamservices.net> wrote in message news:O2bHdedtIHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
You are pretty much spot on
If you have a castastrophic hardware failure, you are somewhat screwed. You buy a new copy of SBS 2003

No, there is no option to "upgrade" OEM software to non-oem

Volume licensing or Full Retail copies are the only ones that can restore to new hardware


--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVPs
Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
Real World Answers
---------------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly regarding issues

"brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:8256B0D3-713A-4EE1-942C-6678E46B3B4D@microsoft.com...

So then this highlights the 4th question in my post:
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can be transfered via a disaster restore?

It sounds like if one actually purchases and use OEM SBS , you are giving up
the ability to every have a real disaster recovery plan in the future?

If this is not the case, then what might a disaster recovery plan look like
for OEM SBS 2003?

-Brian

"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.
>
> There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new hardware.
>
>
>
> --
> Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
> -------------------------------------------------
> Microsoft MVPs
> Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
> Real World Answers
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>
> "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
> We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
> Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
> clueless about MS licensing...
>
> If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
> can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
> option (bare-metal to different hardware).
>
> 1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
> 2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
> since it is an OEM version?
> 3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
> SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
> 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
> can e transfered via a disaster restore?
>
> Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
> to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
> short period of time to validate that everything works.
>
> ...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
> scenario with MS licensing?

actually, catastrophic failure (mobo, at least) is one scenario where OEM
can be moved.

You can move OEM if you have to, you cannot choose to do so.

"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" <crisnospamhanna@cpunospamservices.net> wrote in
message news:O2bHdedtIHA.4260@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
You are pretty much spot on
If you have a castastrophic hardware failure, you are somewhat screwed. You
buy a new copy of SBS 2003

No, there is no option to "upgrade" OEM software to non-oem

Volume licensing or Full Retail copies are the only ones that can restore to
new hardware


--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVPs
Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
Real World Answers
---------------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly regarding issues

"brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8256B0D3-713A-4EE1-942C-6678E46B3B4D@microsoft.com...

So then this highlights the 4th question in my post:
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can be transfered via a disaster restore?

It sounds like if one actually purchases and use OEM SBS , you are giving
up
the ability to every have a real disaster recovery plan in the future?

If this is not the case, then what might a disaster recovery plan look
like
for OEM SBS 2003?

-Brian

"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" wrote:

> The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM
software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.
>
> There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM
can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold
with...cannot be moved to new hardware.
>
>
>
> --
> Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
> -------------------------------------------------
> Microsoft MVPs
> Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
> Real World Answers
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> Please do not contact me directly regarding issues
>
> "brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
> We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are
using
> Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm
pretty
> clueless about MS licensing...
>
> If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image
that we
> can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal
Restore
> option (bare-metal to different hardware).
>
> 1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
> 2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware
platform
> since it is an OEM version?
> 3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003
instead of
> SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
> 4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version
that
> can e transfered via a disaster restore?
>
> Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we
would need
> to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform
for a
> short period of time to validate that everything works.
>
> ...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
> scenario with MS licensing?

When you buy the new hardware why not just buy another OEM license. The CALs are not tied to the hardware so all you need is the base SBs license. The extra cost should not be to prohibitive given the situation being hypothesized.

Assuming the version you need is still available when the catastrophe occurs.

tony
"Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]" <crisnospamhanna@cpunospamservices.net> wrote in message news:u1U2vHdtIHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
The simple answer is, you as the end user, cannot re-install any OEM software (XP, SBS, Office, Windows Server Std, etc., etc.) on new hardware.

There are certain circumstances under warranty situations where an OEM can do this but as the end user, OEM is tied to the hardware it was sold with...cannot be moved to new hardware.



--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVPs
Independent Experts (MVPs do not work for MS)
Real World Answers
---------------------------------------------------------
Please do not contact me directly regarding issues

"brianadkins" <brianadkins@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E0719D77-D542-4B02-B9FE-F2D2230CE4F8@microsoft.com...
We are developing / testing our disaster recovery processes and are using
Acronis True Image with the Universal Restore option. However, I'm pretty
clueless about MS licensing...

If our SBS 2003 domain controller dies ... we have an Acronis image that we
can restore to a different piece of hardware using the Universal Restore
option (bare-metal to different hardware).

1. How does MS licensing impact this scenario?
2. Will we be allowed to activate the OS on the new hardware platform
since it is an OEM version?
3. Would this be any different if it were Windows Server 2003 instead of
SBS ? (we have that scenario also)
4. Is there a way to upgrade our OEM SBS 2003 to a non-OEM version that
can e transfered via a disaster restore?

Finally, in order to even test out our disaster recovery plan, we would need
to activate Windows Server on the new (different) hardware platform for a
short period of time to validate that everything works.

...How are other companies working through this same disaster recovery
scenario with MS licensing?