How to use sysprep to reseal xp with out reactive

[werther]

Hi there,

i work for a pc manufacture, and we use ghost to deploy windows xp on our system, my scope is let the customer to be able to have mini-setup screen when they first time received the unit, so they can specify the computer name, username/pwd, network group and so on (just like just like the welcome screen in Mac OS X) but doesn't need to input license key and active the windows. because we experience some customer can't active windows xp online.

my thought is, after prepare the system for making ghost image, reseal it with a answer file, so after deploy ghost image, test technician will only need to input license key, date/time, auto generate computer name.then test the PC and active xp. then use sysprep reseal the xp again with another answer file.

how can i config the sysprep to reach my scope that i descripted above? Thanks guys!

[Dontona]

Try using the factory mode instead and click do not regenerate SIDS.

Hope that works or have a look at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q302577/

which has information about sysprep and answer files. Good luck

[Takeshi]

It's inadvisable to have the same SIDs on multiple machines! It's not directly related to WPA.

The ideal situation is to use volume licence.

The Sysprep GUI tool has a switch Don't reset grace period for activation (Pre-activated in pre-SP2; the command is: -activated) - not applicable for VLK media and for other versions the grace period is three times.