Microsoft keeps making it more difficult to pirate their software, but at a cost: it’s harder for the average user (or corporate one) to activate legitimate software. I’m not a big fan of paying for software when you can find something similar for free, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

After installing Vista Enterprise X64 on a laptop and Server 2008 on a workstation, I had some issues getting Windows to activate. Something about DNS issues. Ok, I can deal with that – I change the DNS entries to use 4.2.2.2 instead of my gateway (4.2.2.2 is a main ATT backbone DNS server that you *should* always be able to access and ping). It didn’t work – same issues.

So then I started reading a bit on the Technet site. Apparently there’s two ways to fix this issue:
1.) Install a KMS server (Key Management Server)
2.) Convert your key to a MAK (Multiple Activation Key)

Since it’s infinitely easier to convert the key when I’m only running a handful of systems, I chose the second option. Here’s what to do:
Open an administrative command (run as administrator) window.
Then type this code:
slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Then a window will pop up with either a positive or negative on the key change.