Windows 7 Sysprep Answer File

[martinmcd]

Hey,

I am deploying a few Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on some Dell E6400 ATGs, I do not have a volume license but the laptops all have the same spec. I used sysprep /generalize /oobe without an answer file.

Everything pretty much worked according to plan, except the Product ID and Product Key remain the same as the original. Each laptop ideally has to have its own product key. I am using a 3rd party cloning tool, that does a basic sector by sector copy of the HD and partitions.

Everything else I can configure on the machine when it boots up.

So can someone give me any XML answer file to use that will simply prompt for the product key when the cloned machine boots up instead of taking the copied Product ID and Keys from the original machine?

Thanks in Advance,

Martin

Edited December 19, 2009 by martinmcd

[MrJinje]

Easiest way might be to run a script that installs the default trial key, can be done from a batch, vbs, or from Unattend.xml. Just find a way to schedule this command on first login to the machine.

From Cluberti.com

SLMGR.VBS -IPK D4F6K-QK3RD-TMVMJ-BBMRX-3MBMV

Then each machine will get prompted to activate manually.

To run it from unattend.xml, it will look something like this.

<FirstLogonCommands>
   <SynchronousCommand wcm:action="add">
	  <CommandLine>C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -IPK D4F6K-QK3RD-TMVMJ-BBMRX-3MBMV</CommandLine>
	  <Description>Re-Install-Trial-Key</Description>
	  <Order>1</Order>
   </SynchronousCommand>
</FirstLogonCommands>

The hard way might be to use WMI to collect the Asset Tag, serial number, or something else unique to each machine, then hard code a script that checks each machine and run SLMGR.VBS with the correct COA for each machine. But IMO this would be more work than it is worth.

Edited December 19, 2009 by MrJinje

[martinmcd]

Thanks for the quick response. Is there any other way of doing this as I have had lots of problems with changing windows product keys with Windows 7. As I said I have no experience with XML. So if anyone has an unattend script(complete) for such a thing it would be appreciated.

[MrJinje]

Everything else I can configure on the machine when it boots up.

So can someone give me any XML answer file to use that will simply prompt for the product key when the cloned machine boots up instead of taking the copied Product ID and Keys from the original machine?

If you are not comfortable with XML, you can just create a file called SetupComplete.cmd and place it in this folder on your DVD

DVD\Sources\$OEM$\$$\Setup\Scripts\SetupComplete.cmd

Inside SetupComplete.cmd place this line of code.

C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -IPK D4F6K-QK3RD-TMVMJ-BBMRX-3MBMV

No XML needed. On first boot you will be in trial mode and have 3 (30) days to activate.

Changing the product key is a single line of code. Once each machine is installed (using the above trial key), check your COA sticker, and run this from the command line. If it doesn't work, you made a typo.

Start > Run > CMD.exe > "C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -IPK YOUR-REAL-COA-KEY-HERE"

Edited December 21, 2009 by MrJinje