Installation/staging question 1

[anthonyrx]

Anyone know how to make the initial installation screen come back up (where you select time zone and enter the serial number) after Windows has already been loaded? I think its a regedit.

Thank you
Anthony

 

[noobtechie]

What are you trying to change? do?

 

[anthonyrx]

I want our customers to be required to go back in and enter in their time and product number after we have already staged and tested their system before they are able to use Windows.

Tony

 

[noobtechie]

If it's for the time and regional setting you can double click on the time and or go to settings\control panel\regional options - change as needed

Only if they are running on Me or 98 you can go to the registry

run\type regedit\Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\windows\currentversion\product key should be in your right panel\double click on the key and change it.

I suggest to ask for the key code and then configure your client's pc

 

[bcastner]

Create a system restore checkpoint, in case you encounter a problem.
Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).
Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents registry subkey.
Edit the OOBETimer value, modify any one character, then click OK.
Start the CD-ROM key Activation Wizard--click Start, Run and type
\%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
Select the "Activate by Phone" option.
At the product key screen, enter your new key, then click Update.
If the wizard returns you to the previous window, click "Remind me later," then restart the machine.
Repeat Step 5. XP will display the message "Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit."

You can also use the following script that Microsoft provides to change the CD-ROM key:


****** begin cut/paste for ChangeVLKey.vbs
'
' Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Script - ChangeVLKey.vbs
'
' This script changes the product key on the computer. Service Pack 1
' must be installed.
'
'********************************************************************

ON ERROR RESUME NEXT

if Wscript.arguments.count<1 then
Wscript.echo &quot;Script can't run without VolumeProductKey argument&quot;
Wscript.echo &quot;Correct usage: Cscript ChangeVLKey.vbs ABCDE-FGHIJ-
KLMNO-PRSTU-WYQZX&quot;
Wscript.quit
end if

Dim VOL_PROD_KEY
VOL_PROD_KEY = Wscript.arguments.Item(0)
VOL_PROD_KEY = Replace(VOL_PROD_KEY,&quot;-&quot;,&quot;&quot 'remove hyphens if any

for each Obj in
GetObject(&quot;winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}&quot.InstancesOf
(&quot;win32_WindowsProductActivation&quot

result = Obj.SetProductKey (VOL_PROD_KEY)

if err <> 0 then
WScript.Echo Err.Description, &quot;0x&quot; & Hex(Err.Number)
Err.Clear
end if

Next

**** end cut/paste ********

To use this script, go to the command prompt and run changevlkey.vbs <new key>
where <new key> is the name of the new key that you want to activate (e.g., ab123-ab123-ab123-ab123-ab123).


cf.

http://www.winnetmag.com/Article/ArticleID/39255/39255.html

 

[anthonyrx]

The entire point is to make the customer pull out their license and input the product key themselves. We have the key code, we are selling them the computers and software.

Anthony

 

[bcastner]

Sorry, had XP on the brain.

Under Win2k the Sysprep utility is the only direct route to user prompting for a new key.

Sysprep was intended for imaging W2K, but you can use it to remove the product key. After using the tool the user will be presented with a mini setup wizard; they will be required to enter a CD key and other information. If you do not specify Regional Settings, they will be forced to add date/time/ etc.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/tools/sysprep/default.asp

 

[TheSpot]

I know this question was for Windows 2000 but thought I might mention that sysprep for WinXP is actually located on the XP installation disk.
support/tools/deploy.cab
This version won't work with Win2k just as WinXP sysprep shouldn't work with W2k.

You'll need to extract it from the cab files.