Software - Microsoft Software Support

Overview

The document below contains instructions and support for Microsoft software—specifically the Microsoft Key Management Server (KMS) and Microsoft Office.

Configuring Microsoft Key Management Server

Creating an SRV Record in an Active Directory DNS Zone

1. Open the DNS Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
    
2. Expand the DNS Zone.
    
3. Right click on the “_tcp folder” and select Other New Records…
    
4. Click Service Location (SRV) as the new record type.
    
5. Fill in the following information for the new records: 
    
   1. Service: _VLMCS
      
      NOTE: This is not in the drop down list and must be typed.
       
   2. Protocol: _tcp
   3. Port: 1688
   4. Host offering the service: kms.tamu.edu

Manually Setting the KMS For Operating Systems

In the near future, a program will be created to do this task. Until then, follow the steps below.

1. Open a command prompt with administrative privileges: Under the Start menu, choose All Programs > Accessories > right click on Command Prompt > Run as Administrator.
    
2. Change to the “:\windows\systems32” directory.
    
3. Run the following command to set the KMS Server: “cscript slmgr.vbs /skms kms.tamu.edu”.
    
4. Run the following command to activate against the newly set KMS: “cscript slmgr.vbs /ato”
       

Manually Setting the KMS For Microsoft Office 2010 and Above

1. Open a command prompt with administrative privileges: Under the Start menu, choose All Programs > Accessories > right click on Command Prompt > Run as Administrator.
    
2. For Office 2010: Request a Multi Activation Key (MAK) from the Texas A&M Software Center. 
   
   For Office 2013: “c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15” or the “c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15” for x64 Office Product.
   
   For Office 2016/2019: “c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16” or the “c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16” for x64 Office Product.
3. Run the following command to set the KMS Server: “cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.tamu.edu”
    
4. Run the following command to set the KMS Server: “cscript ospp.vbs /act”

Microsoft Key Management Server FAQ

How often does my machine need to contact the KMS?

The product will attempt to contact the KMS to renew its activation period every seven days. If unable to connect after seven days, the machine will attempt to contact its KMS every two hours until it is successful. The product needs to communicate with the KMS every 180 days.

What happens on day 181?

Microsoft Windows will change its status from being licensed to starting a 30-day grace period. After the 30-day period expires, the product will shift to reduced functionality mode.

Can I use a KMS from behind a firewall that uses NAT?

Yes. Communication with the KMS is originated from the client machine.

Can I connect to the KMS from off-campus using the TAMU VPN?

Yes. Microsoft has indicated that Microsoft Vista will attempt to connect to its associated KMS server after a VPN has been established, though this has yet to be tested.

I run my department's firewall and need to know what port to allow.

KMS communication occurs on port 1688 using a TCP connection to kms.tamu.edu.

NOTE: Every effort will be made to not change the IP address of the KMS.

I have a standalone machine that will never be "online" to contact the KMS server. What do I do?

You will need a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) from the Software Center.  One would be needed for Windows, one would be needed for Office.  You will need to specify how many uses you will want (for each MAK).

For Windows 7,  go to "System Properties" (right click on Computer, select Properties). Under "Windows Activation", choose Change Product Key.

NOTE: If that option is not available, you can do the following from command prompt with Administrative Privileges:

 

• slmgr.vbs -ipk  your_product_key
• slmgr.vbs -ato

For Office 2010, go into Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features and select the Microsoft Office entry.  Right Click and select "Change” and choose the Enter a Product Key option.

Microsoft Key Management Server Information

What is a KMS?

A Microsoft Key Management Server (KMS) is a part of the Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 solution and is used to activate volume-licensed Microsoft products such as Windows. A KMS is used with the appropriate media available through the Texas A&M Software Center and activates the product locally instead of directly with Microsoft.

Texas A&M Technology Services has set up a KMS for use by Texas A&M University (TAMU). To connect to the TAMU KMS, please use these instructions.

How KMS Works

The KMS activates a client for a period of 180 day. Once a machine is activated, it will attempt to communicate with the same KMS every seven days to renew its activation and reset it license counter back to 180 days. If the machine is unable to connect to the KMS, it will keep trying to do so silently every two hours until it is successful.

If the machine has not been able to reestablish communication to the KMS after 180 days, the machine will become unlicensed. It starts a 30-day grace period and notifies the user of this change. If the machine is not activated against the KMS after the 30-day grace period expires, it will enter a reduced functionality mode until it is able to connect to its KMS, or is changed to a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) license and activated.

Read more at KMS FAQ.

KMS Alternatives

If your environment prevents your machine from easily communicating with the TAMU KMS, you may switch to the MAK-based license. Each product key can activate a specific number of computers. Unless significant hardware changes occur, MAK activation is required only once. MAK activation requires each target computer to independently connect and activate with Microsoft. Setting and activating the MAK license is by default a manual process that must be done within the first 30 days of installation. Because the number of machines that can be activated using this method is limited, be sure to keep the Texas A&M Software Center informed.

Microsoft Excel and Data Analysis

Introduction

Many of the settings for Microsoft Excel are user settings, not local machine settings. The "Data Analysis" add-in is one that needs to be set up by the user. This document instructs how to set up "Data Analysis" for Microsoft Excel.

1. Open Microsoft Excel. Under the "Office Button" menu, click Excel Options. 
    
2. You will now be presented with the "Excel Options" screen. Click Add-Ins on the left-side menu. 
    
3. You will now be presented with the "Add-Ins" dialog box. Check Analysis ToolPack and Analysis ToolPack - VBA from the list provided, then clickOK to add the selected items.
    
4. Now you can use the "Data Analysis" add-ins in Excel, by navigating to the "Data" tab and clicking Data Analysis.
    

Preventing Overlapping Text Printing in PowerPoint

Group Objects

This feature temporarily merges the images/objects together so that they do not wander across the page when you print. 

1. In the PowerPoint file you wish to print, choose Select All from the "Edit" menu, or press Ctrl+A to highlight all objects.
       
2. Right-click the edge of one of these objects to bring up a menu.
       
3. Click Group, then Group again to group all object together on the page and prevent them from printing incorrectly.

Ungroup Objects

After printing with the grouped objects, it may be necessary to edit in the future. To edit individual items you must first ungroup them.

1. In the PowerPoint file, choose Select All from the "Edit" menu, or press Ctrl+A to highlight all of the previously grouped objects.
       
2. Right-click the edge of one of these objects to bring up a menu, as in the previous section.
      
3. Click Group, then Ungroup to ungroup all objects and enable editing in the future.

 

NOTE: If you wish to print, you must follow the instructions to group objects again to prevent wandering.

Saving Word, Excel to Older Files

Instructions for Microsoft Office

1. Click the Microsoft Office button, then click Save As. If you don't see the Microsoft Office button, click Save As on the "File" menu.
    
2. For Microsoft Word: In the "File name" box, enter a Document Name for the file. In the "Save as type" field, choose the Word 97-2003 Document file format. Then click Save.
    
3. For Microsoft Excel: In the "File name" box, enter a Document Name for the file. In the "Save as type" field, choose the Excel 97-2003 Workbook file format. Then click Save.
   
   
   NOTE: Follow the same steps for Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Access, etc.
    

Instructions for Microsoft Office 2010

1. Open the "File Tab", then click Save As.
    
2. In the "File name" box, enter a Document Name for the file.
    
3. In the "Save as type" list, choose the Word 97-2003 Document file format.
    
4. Click the Save button.