5

I would like to downgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard (OEM) to Windows Server 2012 Standard, the reason being instability of WS 2012 R2, most probably caused by incompatibility with the RAID controller in my server (details follow, skip if uninterested). The controller is HP Dynamic Smart Array B120i and the instability problem is that Windows crashes for no apparent reason returning a KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILED error. See screenshot here. HP does not currently provide any drivers for WS 2012 R2 -- it's supposed to be released in early 2014 but with no specific date given.

Windows Server 2012 is officially supported by HP and since R2 does not introduce any features of interest to me I figured I could downgrade R2 to the previous edition. As far as I'm aware the license allows that.

My question is: how do I do that?

I'm at the point of system installation, so there's no problem with that. The trick is I only have an R2 installation DVD. Where do I get Windows Server 2012? The 180-day evaluation edition that is available from Microsoft does not allow for activation with my R2 licence key (I've just tried that).

Where can I get installation sources for Windows Server 2012 that will allow activation with a commercial key? Or is it done some other way?

Erathiel
  • 711

2 Answers2

4

Where can I get installation sources for Windows Server 2012 that will allow activation with a commercial key?

From your Microsoft Volume License Portal - likely the same place that you got the 2012 R2 ISO and key. They're two different ISOs and keys. After all, they're two different operating systems.

MDMarra
  • 101,323
2

OK, being somewhat pressed for time I have decided to call Microsoft support and ask them directly.

Yes, it is possible to downgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2012 but to do this I need an installation medium for WS 2012 and a license key. Yes, it's not enough for me to own a WS 2012 R2 license key, I need a target system's (the one to which I'm going to downgrade) license key.

The procedure, according to MS consultant, is as follows:

  1. Install the target system (Windows Server 2012 in my case).
  2. Activate the system with its own license key (again, WS 2012 license).
  3. Call Microsoft Support on the phone to inform them about the downgrade.
  4. Your 'source' system (WS 2012 R2 in my case) is the proof of you using the system legally.

What if I own neither an installation medium nor a license key for the target system? Well, I should take a look around and try to borrow them from someone (yes, this is what I heard from the MS consultant). Come again?

The evaluation version does not help either, since it only provides the installation medium, not the license key and would still need activation with a WS 2012 key. Oh, well, case closed, I guess.

Erathiel
  • 711