So i bought a Server 2008 R2 64 bit package for our new Cad server. Sent it to the people who needs to install the upgraded version of our new Software and lo and behold, they get back to me saying, they cant install Oracle on this version, it doesnt work. ( !!!WHAT!!! ) After some googling, it boils down to Microsoft does not publish a 64 bit version of the Microsoft ODBC Driver for Oracle blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah....How can 2 companies of this size and complexity, miss each other totally??? But hey, moving on....
Now, i try to downgrade to Server 2008 standard, to which i am fully entitled to if i read this correctly :
Windows Server 2008 R2 Downgrade Licensing Rights
The following table shows the available downgrade options for each edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 the customer is licensed to use. If a customer already has media and product activation keys for the earlier version of the product for which the customer already has downgrade rights, the customer can use that media and keys to downgrade to an earlier version. If the customer does not have media and keys, please see below on how to obtain a fulfillment kit only and which versions and editions are available for order.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2003 Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Windows Server 2008 Standard Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V
So i phone Microsoft to enquire as to how i go about geting a product key for downgrading my server 2008 from R2 to normal 2008. Wait for it. NO she says...you cant. I have to buy a new package. WTH!! I give up. If this turns out to be false, and i order a package based on their callcentre person's advice , will they give me my money back?....i doubt it....ok..end of rant.
Now, i try to downgrade to Server 2008 standard, to which i am fully entitled to if i read this correctly :
Windows Server 2008 R2 Downgrade Licensing Rights
The following table shows the available downgrade options for each edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 the customer is licensed to use. If a customer already has media and product activation keys for the earlier version of the product for which the customer already has downgrade rights, the customer can use that media and keys to downgrade to an earlier version. If the customer does not have media and keys, please see below on how to obtain a fulfillment kit only and which versions and editions are available for order.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2003 Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Windows Server 2008 Standard Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2008 Standard without Hyper-V
So i phone Microsoft to enquire as to how i go about geting a product key for downgrading my server 2008 from R2 to normal 2008. Wait for it. NO she says...you cant. I have to buy a new package. WTH!! I give up. If this turns out to be false, and i order a package based on their callcentre person's advice , will they give me my money back?....i doubt it....ok..end of rant.
