Problem:
After installing Hyper-V RC0 via Windows Update, on next boot Windows Server 2008 Standard 64-bit host reports activation error 0xC004E002.
Steps to Reproduce:
1. Install Windows Server 2008 64-bit Standard (MSDN ISO X14-26714)
2. Do not enter a license key or activate (default install method for this part number, running in trial mode)
3. Perform all Windows Updates, including Hyper-V RC0
4. Add Hyper-V Role and perform initial setup of Hyper-V
(note: the order of steps 3 and 4 can be switched, it makes no difference)
5. Shut down server
6. Boot server the next day
7. When you see Ctrl-Alt-Delete prompt, log in immediately at the console
8. Receive Activation Error as follows:
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Windows Activation
An error has occurred
You can also contact Microsoft by phone to help resolve this problem (link to Vista genuine web site)
Code:
0xC004E002
Description:
The Software Licensing Service reported that the license store contains inconsistent data.
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I have repeated this over several clean installs on two different hardware platforms with different variations of peripherals and drivers (installing drivers, using Windows default drivers, etc.). All installs runs fine with the version of Hyper-V supplied on the DVD, but as soon as the RC0 update is installed this error occurs. This can occur whether there are virtual machines configured or not.
The occurence and type of the error seems to be related to how quickly the user attempts the first login at the console.
Workaround:
After receiving the Ctrl-Alt-Delete prompt, wait at least 10 minutes before attempting to log in to the server. If you receive the error again, reboot and repeat this step (waiting at least 10 minutes before logging in) until a normal log in is achieved. If normal log in is achieved, the system behaves normally until the next reboot.
Additional errors that may be seen (less common, and they seem to occur randomly instead of the above error):
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Windows Activation
An unauthorized change was made to Windows
Windows has discovered a change that will result in limited Windows functionality. Use the link below to find out how to fix Windows.
Learn more online (link to Vista genuine web site)
Close
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Or
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Windows Activation
Activate Windows now
Your activation period has expired. You must activate Windows to continue using all Windows features.
Activate Windows online now
Access your computer with reduced functionality
Retype your product key
Show me other ways to activate (grayed out)
Cancel
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Has anyone else experienced this? Is it just something we have to live with until the release version of Hyper-V?
Thanks for any help.
Richard