I just realized your error message you were quoting isn't the one I thought. That message isn't related to KMS. For KMS you should double check the KMS server, probably install the VAMT 3.0 to help manage KMS and then you'll be able to see the results of trying to activate. You can also use slmgr.vbs /dlo on the server and it will give you the current count. slmgr.vbs /ato from a client will also try to manually register.
For Office I pretty much always do this:
ON SERVER:
run this:
cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /dlv bfe7a195-4f8f-4f0b-a622-cf13c7d16864
the "total count" must be higher than 5! (if its smaller than 5, then proceed to client steps below)
ON CLIENT LAPTOP/DESKTOP:
1. Install Office 2010 standard/pro
2. run this:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform\OSPPREARM.EXE"
3. run this:
C:\Windows\System32\cscript.exe "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\OSPP.VBS" /act