Hi - just a quick question re: purchasing a used vms(4) u10/13 off ebay.

I purchased a used ipx system with 11 handsets for $220 and am contemplating getting a voice mail card.

I understand the vms hdd based ones regularly fail and the fms flash based ones are not much better. If i could backup/clone the storage however it would be worthwhile. I could purchase a vms 4 port on ebay for $130 and backup the hdd so when it does fail eventually i could just replace it with a cloned one.

Now the problem is the activation codes. I have read previous posts on this topic where users have cloned a hdd on an elite 48 system and everything has worked. The only problem is that if they had an 8 port vm, then it would require the activation code to reenable the 4 extra ports.

Other posts have said that when they tried cloning their hdd or flash to another drive, cosession would ask for an activation code upon logging in. Tis might be for an ipk system which i have so im a bit nervous about this.

Given that the system (ipk) is long discontinued and not supported by nec, if i were to purchase a hdd based vms and if i were to clone it to a new hdd, would nec provide the authorisation code if required? How else could i get a working vms code if nec dont provide one? Would it make a difference if i get a fms flash based vm?

I am contemplating getting a used 4 port vms with 6 month warranty vs. a 4 port sli card ($70) with 2 digital answering machines. Of course the digital answering machines wont be as integrated but it will last for 2+ years given that sli cards are quite stable.

I really would like to get the vms but what happens if i get the authorisation code request?