Terminal Services OEM License Server Activation Does Not Validate PIN or Recognize License Server ID (256854)

SYMPTOMS

The Windows 2000 update, "Terminal Services OEM License Server Activation Failure", addresses a license server activation problem that occurs only on servers obtained through Microsoft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and configured with the Terminal Services Licensing service.

The following error message occurs if you are activating the license server by using the Internet Connection method:

The Licensing wizard cannot complete the license server activation process. The PIN is not valid for this License Server. Click Back, and then compare the Product ID with the Product ID in your e-mail. If the problem persists, try using a different connection method.

The following error message occurs if you are activating the license server by using the Worldwide Web, Telephone, or Fax Connection method:

The Licensing wizard is unable to verify the license server ID. Check that you have entered the correct ID for this server and retry this operation.

Message Number: 0x57.

CAUSE

The Windows 2000 Terminal Services OEM license server activation does not verify the activation certificate obtained from the Microsoft Clearinghouse. Therefore, an OEM Windows 2000-based server cannot be activated as a Terminal Services license server with the Microsoft Clearinghouse server.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

260910 How to Obtain the Latest Windows 2000 Service Pack

The Windows 2000 recommended update, "Terminal Services OEM License Server Activation Failure", is available on the Microsoft Windows Update Web site (http://Windowsupdate.microsoft.com). You can also download this recommended update (for installation later or on a different computer) from the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/downloads/recommended/q256854/default.asp

If you require only the hotfix that resolves this specific issue (instead of the entire Windows 2000 service pack), please contact Microsoft Product Support Services.

NOTE: OEM build of Windows 2000 server with SP1 "streamlined" in, may not update Windows 2000 Server version of "Lserver.exe". Customer verified that the OEM build with SP1 streamlined in had version "5.0.2181.1, 12/4/1999" installed, the version in Windows 2000 Server. This should have been updated to "5.0.2195.1234" by Service Pack 1. This can be resolved by installing SP1 from:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/default.asp

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to install Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 hotfixes at the same time, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: