The following KB refers to the methodology to recover your CALs if they were somehow lost as was the case in Chris' case:
Microsoft KB 888818: The number of client access licenses may be reset to five in Windows Small Business Server 2003.
If none of the methods in the KB article can work for you, then there is a fall back: The autolicstr.cpa backup licensing file that is created by SBS.
To recover your CALs via this file:
- Stop the License Logging Service.
- Rename the existing licstr.cpa to licstr.cpa.old
- Copy the autolicstr.cpa to %Windir%\System32
- Rename the autolicstr.cpa to licstr.cpa
- Restart the License Logging Service.
There is another good use for this information: For one who has setup the server, and installed the CALs as the wrong type. Indicated Device CALs instead of User CALs or vice versa?
Stop the License Logging Service, rename both autolicstr.cpa and licstr.cpa, restart the License Logging Service, and open the Licensing in the Server Management Console.
You will get a 1016 error in the event viewer when the service cannot find the license file, but it will create a new one back at the default of 5.
When you go to reenter your CALs as the correct type, keep in mind that the online method of registration may not work. You may need to call into Microsoft to register the CALs.
Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
*All Mac on SBS posts are posted on our in-house iMac via the Safari Web browser.
14 comments:
Great tip.. Just a new customer call with this issue and they weren't backed up.
I've found that the CAL's tend to disappear when the drive space on C gets low.
This Works!! Thanks you saved my job.. My Backups were Corrupt and this saved the day.
whew.. this just saved the day!
Thank you!!!
We had the same issue of the OS drive filling up.
If you were local to Vancouver BC, we would be buying you a TON of drinks ;-)
This is what I was looking for! None of the other solutions were an option.
I imaged my server and put it on new hardware so MSFT wants me to put the codes back in to add the licenses through a license transfer, so this will not work for me. That seems a little excessive.
Thanks Philips,
I also retrieve the CALS.
Regards,
Zeeshan
Excellent Tip. Just had this issue due to low space, on a customers machine. A great 5 minute instant fix.
Excellent !!!! Still works in Aug 2011. Customer lost CALS due to low disk space & no CALs backup. Thanks.
Thank you very much ! You saved my life :D
OMG spot on, thanks a bunch. Saved my bacon with a client this morning ;-)
Thanks for a well written help that actually works!!
Now I can leave and have a beer :D
Absolute life saver! Didn't think anyone could help with a 2003 SBS server...keys were lost and license had reverted back to 5 cals. Worked perfectly!! Thank you.
Thanks.
Saved my day.
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