I just bought a fresh retail copy of Windows Web Server 2008 from newegg the other day for a small web server I'm setting up at home. Went to install it, and it told me the license key was invalid.
Of course I thought I must have just mistyped it, but after checking and re-checking 5 or 6 times, no dice. I called Microsoft support, read them the key, and they said it was valid and further "support" on this issue would cost me $259. Called Newegg as well, and of course they said to call Microsoft.
Has anyone else had issues with Windows Web Server 2008 rejecting valid license keys? Is there anything I can do about this other than return it and hope the next copy I get works?
If it matters, I'm installing the 64 bit version. The retail copy comes with 32 and 64 bit versions, but my understanding is that the key should work for both. Also, I did enter the "phys" key, not the virtual key.
ETA:
Apparently others are having this issue as well.
Best Answer
You should be able to install Windows 2008 completely bypassing the license key (just click next) to get you going. Once you have Windows up and running, try entering the key by right clicking My Computer/Properties. If you still have no joy, I would call the Microsoft licensing activation number rather than the general product support number. The relevant phone numbers are here:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/activation-centers.aspx