"The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

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"The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

I was prepping a virtual environment within VMWare Workstation 6.5 (EZInstall approach) for Microsoft SharePoint 2010. I encountered the following challenge when booting from a Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 ISO:

"The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key..."

To get rid of this show-stopper I simply disabled the floppy drive connection it had created. It worked like a charm.

Feedback

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

I just want to let you know you saved me such a headache. I could not find out what was wrong for the life of me. Thanks. You've got a free beer coming if we ever meet!

7/15/2010 3:52 AM | Cephus

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thank you!!! Was stuck on this all night - such a simple solution and it worked perfectly! You're a lifesaver :)

7/22/2010 11:42 AM | Andi

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

You are AWESOME for posting this.
Thank you so much. If only google had a way of making this the first link that shows up on the search results :)

you seriously saved me lots of time, and probably delays at work, which can lead to embarassments and then who knows right?!

so THANK YOU SO MUCH!

8/3/2010 2:03 PM | Ahsan

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks! it really works! and now I don't push our admins for problem solving ^.^

11/9/2010 1:27 PM | google worm

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

very usefull indeed
thankyou very much

11/11/2010 2:58 PM | Gianluca

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

You ROCK! Thanks! Thanks GOOGLE too ;)

1/28/2011 10:52 AM | Me

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks you very good sharing

2/15/2011 11:35 PM | ssk hizmet dökümü

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!

cheers

5/11/2011 1:34 PM | steve

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Simply Amazing!!!! It did the trick for me...

5/17/2011 7:23 PM | Andy

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks! This saved so much hassle. :)

7/3/2011 4:28 PM | kwallen

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Wow, I was stuck and this did it. THANK YOU!

7/30/2011 12:09 PM | Mandelbaum

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

re"The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install,

Thank you that worked for me also on install 2008 R2 to vmware workstation 7.

Thanks, I owe you a 2 beers....

8/17/2011 5:04 AM | mcitparamos

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

+1

Many thanks, saved me lots of time!

9/6/2011 8:10 PM | Olli

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

AMAZING!!! This just made me let go of the fistful of hair I was preparing to rip out of my head!

9/25/2011 1:47 AM | Kevin Taylor

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks. Your trick fixed it.

10/10/2011 8:32 AM | Joey

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thank you very much for sharing this!!! I tried to use different windows license code, tried to remove and recreate the image... Your tip just worked like a charm :)

1/8/2012 3:25 PM | Serene Tong

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

This works but is completely bizarre. Of course one associates floppy drive and product key it is so obvious. Thanks to you and google.

1/19/2012 12:30 PM | Paul

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks! Rhetorical question... how did you figure this out?
I simply turned off the Floppy's Connected and 'Connect at power on' check boxes.
You have saved me an undetermined amount of investigation time.

Fred

1/25/2012 12:20 AM | Fred

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

You are so GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2/8/2012 8:44 PM | Yang LU

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Hallelujah!!!!!! Wasted 2hrs..... Should have ...should have google this issue after the nth tries with 5 different license keys.

2/15/2012 12:32 PM | ken

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Awasome Fanastic..You rock

4/1/2012 2:48 AM | Raj

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks a ton!!! That's really help me a lot. I am stuck here a long time and have no idea why this error occurs. You are smart to find this solution, very easy and work perfect.

4/23/2012 11:51 PM | wendel

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks for posting this, it helps a lot

5/3/2012 5:46 PM | Manoj R

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Hey guys, really useful fix to know, but my question is WHY does the floppy drive have involvement with the unattended answer file?

If you know then that would be great, so that I have an understanding of it.

Thanks!

5/25/2012 4:11 PM | Luca

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

than u so much it still work incredible

5/27/2012 8:25 AM | bolor

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks for this!!! I used Parallels and the issue is the same.

6/5/2012 10:05 AM | Renato Salvaleon

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

hope it works ty

6/11/2012 10:37 PM | Kelzagan

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Wow
thanks mate. Thanks for ur sharing.

7/29/2012 1:48 PM | Ralph

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

SO...how do I "disable the floppy drive connection"

I'm getting this while installing Windows 7 on a parallels on a mac...

9/12/2012 4:11 AM | Ben

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks very much for posting solution.. it works for me too!!!

10/5/2012 3:26 AM | Hitesh

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

This work around also works for Windows 8 install.

10/28/2012 8:54 AM | Robert

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Same problem Installing windows 8 .... Worked a treat.. I changed the boot method from floppy to hard disk.. Many Thanks

10/28/2012 8:16 PM | Jon

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

It works. Cheers bruv.

10/30/2012 11:04 PM | Danny

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Thanks!!! This works !!!

11/26/2012 12:17 PM | Jeet

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

simply great, I save a lot of time..... thanks

12/2/2012 4:36 PM | nicbua

# re: "The unattend answer file contains an invalid product key" VMWare Windows Server 2008 Install

Wanted to add to the thank you list. :)

12/27/2012 5:38 PM | Jim Homer

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