Imaging XP Home - product key issues 3

[BigFunkyChief]

Hello,
Here's the situation: customer bought 25 computers, all with XP Home already installed. Each computer has an individual license key for it. We created an base installation on a computer, ran sysprep (with minimum sysprep.inf entries, no product key entry), shut PC down and imaged with Ghost. All is great, except the imaged PCs do not ask for the product key, thus all computers now have the same product key and won't let us update. Any ideas on how I can accomplish getting the separate keys put back on the computers?
Thanks in advance!
Scott

 

[satrow]

Try this
javascriptpenindex(450,350,'

http://www.tipmaster.com/includes/refinfo.cfm?w=450&h=350')

or click the FAQ tab!

 

[satrow]

Or faq450-350

(I haven't done any scripting since the Dark Ages!) Help, I need a faq!

 

[linney]

Try these.

810892 - HOW TO: Change the Product Key at the Time of Activation

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Changing your Product ID after installation
faq779-4300

 

[bcastner]

Run sysprep using the -mini option and reseal each image.
When rebooted they will prompt for the CD key.

 

[BigFunkyChief]

Thanks for the input everyone. I did try 'sysprep -mini', but it I get an error, something about Windows XP Home not supporting this option. I was able to use the same sysprep.inf on a Win2K machine and it worked correctly...

I would not recommend XP Home to any businesses, unless they only have one computer. Go XP Pro if you have to use Windows!

Thanks again for the tips and pointing me in the right direction...

Peace!
Scott

 

[bcastner]

srace,

I apologize, as I missed a subtlety in XP Home vs. XP Pro. As Home does not support RIS for imaging, it therefore does not support Sysprep. (One is supposed to use deductive reasoning for this, I guess).

Which is unfortunate, as running a sysprep -mini with a seal is an elegant solution to your problem.

I would be curious if changing the oobetimer hack does in fact work. It seems to me that the only choice, other than a an upgrade type reinstall, would be if the Telephone option can in fact be activated.

Please report back on your results.