Mass Cloning of XP

[vodka_mann]

I have 3 pcs setup with windows xp (2 home 1 pro) and all the networks I setup have a varied number of these computers on them.

Instead of setting up each computer I want to know how I legitimately clone these setups. I sell the computers that go on the networks so I cannot use XP Corp edition.

I have looked into ghost but I don't think it deals with the registration issues in xp.

Thanks for the help.

[Rmcky]

Well, Vodka_mann, take another drink. Not sure we exactly understand what you're asking, but it does look like you're asking for something that's illegal. If so, it ain't gonna happen here.

If I'm mistaken, then please clarify your request and we'll do our best to give an intelligent answer.

You have to have a valid license for each system you install any version of Windows on. If you do, then Microsoft could probably give you better guidance as to how to accomplish your goals, however XP usually installs pretty easily and only a free phone call is required, so I really don't see what the problem is with only 3 PCs to deal with.

Hope this helps.

Rick

[mlee97]

No rmcky I don't think he's asking to pirate anything... I think he's asking how to set up the systems to sell configued exactly like the three in the network.
Microsoft sells a oem pack that containd a disk called xp-pe for pre-install. It allows you to set up a system with xp and then when its right, it'll reboot to the registration screen prompting for a serial number and the activation. it's a bit tricky, you'll have to read up about it. Another way is to set it up with a personal serial (legal of course) then use a utility that exists (don't remember the name) to change the original serial number to a new one upon sale. However you wouldn't be able to use the personal one for this purpose for long, because of the time out issue. Best bet is to learn to use winxp-pe

[vodka_mann]

Ill clarify:

I am a re-seller for Dell and for Microsoft Business Solutions, my company specializes in consulting and customizing a product Microsoft makes call Retail Management Systems.

I have a pc setup as a template that we use for a back office/ MSDE server, another template that is setup for a computerized cash register and another back office machine that is used on larger networks.

So, when I sell a system to a retail business they use 1-3 back office machines and 1-25 cash register setup machines. I have licenses for all of these systems and they are all setup just they way we want them, for example, the cash register systems are locked down so that clerks can't screw things up or get on the net through the network.

I just want to use the templates to copy onto other machines so I dont have to do the hour worth the setup on each machine. You can see that if somebody buys a 25 cash register system there would be a huge advantage to cloning.

I just want to find out how to do this legitimately! If I got 2003 server could I use RIS? Since there is an obvious cost issue for server software I would like to avoid it if I have to.

I know all those titles sound like we should be very technical but were just a bunch of hacks that work our ass off, understand the retail industry, and love our customers. A couple of my guys have computer education under their belt but its mostly learned from screwing around with it until it works and getting into forums like this one.

Thanks for any info.

[vodka_mann]

Yeah mlee97! Thats exactly right.

Understood or not, thanks for the contribution people.

Man this forum has some traffic...

[vodka_mann]

Nice, I found a key changer, are they legal?

Could I clone with Norton ghost and then change the key? Would that make the copy legal?

[mlee97]

Perhaps it might be frowned upon by MS but it is legal as it doesn't involve any monetary loses or significant control loses from the contractual parties.

I doubt that Microsoft would even put forth the effort to frown upon it, as I know of a few oem'rs that do that, and would switch in a heartbeat to linux if MS gave them grief (Scientific systems)

[cadetstimp]

You'll want to use the sysprep tool with the -factory option in order to prepare an OEM system to be captured as a baseline image.

Here's more info...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...actorymode.asp

This is a legal way to distribute because once you seal (finish) sysprep, the baseline image you capture will boot and start a mini setup on the cloned systems that will inlude the customer having to input their name, product key, etc. which you can provide as part of their purchase/documentation.