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HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:30 pm
by rogue426
I've recently picked one of these up, it has Windows Server 2003 for SBS on it.
I don't know the Admin logon password so atm cant get any access to it in Windows.
I dont have the original install or restore disks so that rules them out.
I do have a Windows 2003 RC2 disk though, and I do have the product key
for the current OS on it. So my question is, do I use the RC2 disk I have and reinstall .
If so will it update to 2003 for SBS after I install RC2?
I've never used any server software so I'm not sure how to proceed.
I'd like to see what's currently on the machine if possible, but dont
have the logon password.Or would my easiest bet just to put Win 7 on it?

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:44 pm
by Captain Ned
Just use CHNTPW to reset the local admin password to "blank" and then log in.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 11:14 am
by Flying Fox
If you bought it from a proper dealer can't you just ask nicely?

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 12:20 pm
by rogue426
Flying Fox wrote:
If you bought it from a proper dealer can't you just ask nicely?


Its from an auction , no passwords or docs provided, sold as is.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:19 pm
by Flying Fox
Product key for RC should not be the same as the release one. In this case whether you have the licence that "comes with" the original computer is suspect. Not too sure about this situation of yours.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:33 pm
by rogue426
So the link Captain Ned sent me to didnt work, something about Active Domain I suspect. Anyhow ,downloaded Unbuntu 11.10 and ran it off a cd.
So now the question is , do I just buy a new Win 7 copy and install or take the Linux plunge with this?

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:39 pm
by Scrotos
Well if you can get logged into the machine, maybe in safe mode off of the domain (after cracking the password using a linux tool when you boot from a live CD or something), you can probably use something like Magic Jelly Bean keyfinder (http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/) to find the Win2K3 SBS key used. I've used that and similar tools to figure out wtf serials were used for some of our servers here at work. I kinda got our licenses sorted out, before then things weren't tracked as well.

From what I understand, the encryption on passwords for XP/2K3 is pretty weak and can be "easily" cracked via tools. Vista/Win7/Win2k8/Win2k8r2 changed that up so it's harder/more time consuming. You'll have to look that up because I've never had a reason to and don't know specifics off the top of my head.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:44 pm
by Scrotos
Also, don't forget to update the BIOS and firmware and stuff! That always fixes everything!

...I like updating firmware.

I picked up some free HP xw4600 workstations myself and while they are neat, the ECC memory requirement is KILLER. I haven't upgraded them past the 4 GB preinstalled.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... G5&Cat=RAM

Should be a fun little machine. Personal use? Business? Were you going to make a home server?

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:12 pm
by Scrotos
Last bit of spam from me on this.

If you just want to poke around, use the linux live CD and see if it's worth trying to rescue. If you want to play with the server OS, you can try to find the serial. I guess the next step is to find a pal with access to microsoft's volume licensing site who has access to Win2K3 SBS. We never used that here at work so we only have access to Win2K3, Win2K3 x64, Win2K3 R2, and Win2K3 R2 x64. And Win2K8 and later stuff, but that's nowhere near Win2K3 SBS. Since you don't have any experience with a server OS, it might be fun to play around with it if you can get the serial and find a source for the ISO from MS.

Now, something else to consider is you still won't be licensed for Win2K3 SBS. It's possible that license was repurposed by the people who auctioned off the system and legally you're not entitled to it. The HP workstations I got had a Vista Business tag on the outside so I had the serials there and they were OEM licensed for the box. You're probably not so lucky. However, that OS is oh so old so I doubt anyone cares one way or the other, if it's even still being used by the auctioning company. Hell, for all you know, they went bankrupt and these assets got liquidated.

Crap, I only just now read "and I do have the product key for the current OS on it" and had it register in my brain-meats. Hell yeah, find yourself an ISO, then! And/or check that that product key matches what is actually being used for the installed OS.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:25 pm
by Flying Fox
Scrotos wrote:
Crap, I only just now read "and I do have the product key for the current OS on it" and had it register in my brain-meats. Hell yeah, find yourself an ISO, then! And/or check that that product key matches what is actually being used for the installed OS.

Not quite, the OP said he has the product key for the RC version (which is most likely for a time limited eval and not a real "permanent" one). So unless the machine he bought is with the OS that was installed, he needs a license.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:14 pm
by rogue426
Flying Fox wrote:
Scrotos wrote:
Crap, I only just now read "and I do have the product key for the current OS on it" and had it register in my brain-meats. Hell yeah, find yourself an ISO, then! And/or check that that product key matches what is actually being used for the installed OS.

Not quite, the OP said he has the product key for the RC version (which is most likely for a time limited eval and not a real "permanent" one). So unless the machine he bought is with the OS that was installed, he needs a license.


Actually, the product key for the installed OS is right on the case on the Microsoft sticker.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:27 am
by Flying Fox
rogue426 wrote:
Flying Fox wrote:
Scrotos wrote:
Crap, I only just now read "and I do have the product key for the current OS on it" and had it register in my brain-meats. Hell yeah, find yourself an ISO, then! And/or check that that product key matches what is actually being used for the installed OS.

Not quite, the OP said he has the product key for the RC version (which is most likely for a time limited eval and not a real "permanent" one). So unless the machine he bought is with the OS that was installed, he needs a license.


Actually, the product key for the installed OS is right on the case on the Microsoft sticker.

AFAIK Win2K3 SBS is not designed to upgrade an existing Win2K3 install, you can most certainly try. You definitely should try to recover/reset the admin password since right now you can't do anything. Or just screw it and install an OS that you have a real license for.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:36 am
by Captain Ned
Flying Fox wrote:
You definitely should try to recover/reset the admin password since right now you can't do anything.

And that's where from whence I was coming with CHNTPW. The install may very well be "irregular" but the only way to suss that out (and to extract potentially valid keys) is to reset the admin PW and forge on ahead.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:36 am
by Flying Fox
Captain Ned wrote:
Flying Fox wrote:
You definitely should try to recover/reset the admin password since right now you can't do anything.

And that's where from whence I was coming with CHNTPW. The install may very well be "irregular" but the only way to suss that out (and to extract potentially valid keys) is to reset the admin PW and forge on ahead.

And the OP said it did not work for him. May be make sure you are logging on as the local Administrator not the one for the domain.

Re: HP Proliant ML115 G5

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:38 am
by Scrotos
I figure if he can determine the installed OS uses the same key as on the side of the case, he should be golden. Or, hell, call MS and see if it's genuine.

Getting an ISO will be an issue unless you got someone who can hook you up. Looking at this: http://www.sbs-rocks.com/sbs2k3/sbs2003-2.htm It does look like the install image is different than 2003 or 2003 R2. Not like Vista or Win7 or W2k8 or W2K8R2 where you get different versions depending on what serial you enter.

SBS is neat if you want to get yer feet wet since it comes with Exchange and, I guess in your version, maybe SQL Server 2000 as well.