MARExpress is a deployment utility designed to automate the application of Microsoft Digital Product Keys (DPKs) during Windows deployment while operating in Audit Mode.
The application performs several automated tasks including:
The goal is to provide a repeatable, automated process while minimizing technician interaction.
Before running MARExpress, verify the following requirements.
Required Files
The MARExpress download package contains:
System Requirements
USB Drive
│
├── Install_DPK.bat
└── MAR
The USB drive is now ready for use.
MARExpress will automatically begin the initialization process.
The first time a new version of MARExpress is executed, the application prompts for two values:
After these values are entered, they are stored for future use.
Configuration file:
\MAR\Configuration\deployment-configuration.json
This configuration only needs to be completed once for each version of MARExpress.
Before requesting a Digital Product Key, MARExpress performs a Windows 11 compatibility assessment.
The following items are validated:
If any validation fails, MARExpress immediately stops processing and no license is applied.
After compatibility validation completes successfully, MARExpress detects the installed Windows edition.
Windows Home
If Windows Home is detected, MARExpress automatically begins the Digital Product Key application process.
Windows Pro
If Windows Pro is detected, the technician is presented with a selection menu.
Available options include:
After a selection is made, processing continues automatically.
Once a license type has been selected, MARExpress performs the following operations.
1. System Information
The application gathers computer information and verifies the installed PowerShell version.
2. MDOS Smart Client Connection
MARExpress attempts to establish communication with the MDOS Smart Client.
If communication is successful:
If communication fails:
Unable to contact KPS
is displayed.
Once a license type has been selected, MARExpress performs the following operations.
1. System Information
The application gathers computer information and verifies the installed PowerShell version.
2. MDOS Smart Client Connection
MARExpress attempts to establish communication with the MDOS Smart Client.
If communication is successful:
If communication fails:
Unable to contact KPS
is displayed.
3. Digital Product Key Retrieval
If no DPK is available, MARExpress may generate a generic error.
Review the appropriate log directory for additional information.
Example:
MAR
└── Pro11
└── Log
If a DPK is available, OA3Tool begins the activation process.
4. Firmware Programming
OA3Tool verifies that the MSDM table:
Successful MSDM Access
If the MSDM table is writable:
MSDM Access Failure
If the MSDM table cannot be accessed:
After the Computer Build Report has been created, MARExpress attempts to upload the report to the MDOS Smart Client using SFTP.
If the upload fails, MARExpress retries the connection up to three times.
Upload Failure
After three unsuccessful attempts, a red message is displayed indicating that the report upload failed.
Upload Success
If the upload succeeds, the console window changes to green and confirms that the report was successfully uploaded to the MDOS Smart Client.
When troubleshooting, review the log files generated by MARExpress.
Example directory:
MAR
└── Pro11
└── Log
The log files contain diagnostic information for:
At completion, MARExpress sets the variable:
MAR_EXIT
Exit Codes:
When processing completes successfully:
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to contact KPS | Network connectivity | Verify the MDOS Smart Client IP address and network connectivity |
| Generic DPK Error | No available DPK | Review the log files and verify available inventory in the MDOS Smart Client |
| CBR Upload Failed | SFTP communication failure | Verify network connectivity and review the generated log files |
| Compatibility Validation Failed | Unsupported hardware or configuration | Review the failed validation item and correct the system configuration before retrying |