9 new computers - Image perhaps?

[schase]

Howdy,

Just adding 9 new xp pro's to our network, All same brand, etc.

Of course they came loaded with vendor crap software that we will not use - hogs ram, and for that matter i don't want on my network.

At anyrate, I was thinking of stripping one machine down to the configuration I want, imaging it - then applying the same image to the remaining 8 machines.

However I am immediately brought to the concern of licenses - of course they came licensed with OEM versions of xp pro - no problem here I will be imaging one to put on the others that have their own licenses

Although the license #'s will be different naturally - if I restore an image - the image number will also carry over.
Will this create a problem for me? I did not see any location to activate the XP Pro which surprised me - but they are from Sony so who knows what they had for agreements with MS.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

"Never underestimate the power of determination"

Stuart

 

[kosekjm]

Hello there,

Have seen something similar done in the past. Unsure as to the legalities of this, but I can't see why it wouldn't be. I mean you have the licenses for all of the machines, so you are running in comliance (I think, but then again I'm not a lawyer

As for any problems, I have not seen the machines act differently if there are multiple machines with the same registration numbers on the network.

As for the activation, if you used the Sony CD's that came with the machine(assuming Sony still gives you those), then most likely they are designed for use with the OEM machine and do not need to be activated. I have a Dell machine at home that does the same thing. If I reinstall with the CD that Dell provided, I do not have to go through the MS activation process.

In effect the OEM company has already registered your software with MS when they purchased the license for you. Also, if you are using a volume media cd from a MSDN kit, then you should also not have to register with MS. There should still be a screen during the install that will ask you for your key code that is on the cd.

Again, I'm no legal expert, but I can't see why it would be illegal.

kosekjm

 

[wolluf]

If you run sysprep on the base install before you clone it, you can set it to create new SIDs and it will prompt for a key during the mini-setup it will run when first booting cloned copy (so can put its own key in, if it has one - if no activation, could it be corporate version?)

 

[schase]

Yea unlucky for the admin's with the way Sony/HP/ etc are going - they do not ship recovery cd's anymore, rather install them on a partitian.

Will give that a shot wolluf. Not sure - I know it's XP Pro but go figure must be like Kosekjm mentioned.

"Never underestimate the power of determination"

Stuart