Problem activating OEM CALs -tracking id

Microsoft OEM software is for a single install on a single machine . The product activation will compare hardware and if it sees different hardware it will deny activation. OEM can not be transfered to another machine unlike retail or Open Business/Open Value licensing.

if you installed the OEM version on one machine and later want to install on another machine you have to buy seperate media and license. you cant just buy a license.

Hi there,
thanks for your answer, however the problem I'm having isn't the one you describe. I can't activate the CALs becasue there's no activation code/product key included in the documentation...only a tracking id...any ideas?
thanks!

Unfortunately you have been supplied with the wrong product. I recently went through this process. Get it back to your supplier and ask them for the correct CAL's. Here is part of the correspondence from Microsoft.

Thanks for using the Microsoft Partner Managed Newsgroups.

The SBS CAL pack comes with a 25-character code, and it must say Small
Business Server on it. If it just says Windows Server 2003 and has no code,
it is not an SBS CAL pack. Please contact the reseller to make sure they
did not send you the wrong CAL pack.

Rob

Hi there!
I know exactly what you mean; normally it would be the wrong product but not in this case. MS have confirmed that CALs will ship with a tracking ID but they don't know how to convert it to a code that can be activated. I actually work for a MS Gold partner (OEM) so the part nos are correct. I'm pulling all my hair out :(

I can't add another comment.
I returned the Product with the tracking ID which was packaged in Taiwan to my Supplier. He replaced it with the correct CAL's and I am up and running. It actually took over 4 weeks to get it sorted. My client was not very happy. Every time I tried to contact Microsoft about it I kept getting sent to Terminal Services Licencing which was the wrong area. Anyway you look at it you have the wrong product the proper CAL's have a 25 digit code.

Hi all,
just in case you come across it again, the Mystery of the Terrible Tracking Codes has been cracked...kind of. Basically, MS came back and said that all CALs ship with a tracking ID, as proof of purchase. They declined to say why exactly some CAL packs bear only a tracking ID, and some a tracking ID and a product code, but they confirmed that all are legitimate and correct for Server 2003. After much pursuit through OEM channels, we've been told to use a workaround of starting the licensing service and adding in per set CALs i.e. switch to honour mode..hope this helps! All the best, and thank you

Same here. It came with my computer from a legal distributor. I'm using it for the first time since it was already in the computer and now I have to format because my computer got screwed with malware.
I have a tracking ID instead of the Activation code. It's 14 digits only and not accpeted when I provide it.
Please help!

I have the same problem and have been ear bashing Microsoft. They have confirmed that the certificate with the tracking ID is a valid certificate that I can use but apparently the reseller needs to provide a product ID.

The reseller obviously has no idea what MS are talking abouit.

How do you do the 'workaround' on the honour setup you mention above??? I have tried just about everything I can think of and nothing is working.