Changing XP OEM key?

[BlueWeasel]

I'm helping a friend build 3 systems for his office. All the systems have identical hardware and software with the exception of the CPU, monitor, and case. A copy of XP SP2 OEM was ordered with the hardware from Newegg for EACH of the 3 systems.

I've already built one system and it's been setup to his liking. The other 2 systems will be built over the next week.

Since the main components of each system are the same, I plan on imaging the first system and deploying it to the other 2 using Acronis.

Is it possible to update the CD key on the 2 cloned systems so that each system has it's own OEM key?

 

[Smilin]

Use sysprep on the images. Either use unattended parameters to specify the key, or don't do anything and it will prompt during mini-setup.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I've not used Sysprep before, but I understand it allows you to specify the CD key, computer name, workgroup, etc. Considering I've already got a working XP system with applications, drivers, etc. -- do I use Sysprep and then make the image?

 

[Raincity]

There is probably some utility that allows you to change the CD key after Windows boots for the first time.

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I've not used Sysprep before, but I understand it allows you to specify the CD key, computer name, workgroup, etc. Considering I've already got a working XP system with applications, drivers, etc. -- do I use Sysprep and then make the image?

If you've never done it before keep it simple.

1. Extract sysprep and whatnot from the deploy.cab on your windows cd to a c:\sysprep folder. Do this after your machine is loaded the way you want (3rd party apps etc..)
2. Run sysprep.exe, when prompted shut down.
3. Take a new image from the machine
4. Drop the image on a new box and boot it. (or several new boxes)
5. complete mini-setup on the new box.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I've not used Sysprep before, but I understand it allows you to specify the CD key, computer name, workgroup, etc. Considering I've already got a working XP system with applications, drivers, etc. -- do I use Sysprep and then make the image?

If you've never done it before keep it simple.

1. Extract sysprep and whatnot from the deploy.cab on your windows cd to a c:\sysprep folder. Do this after your machine is loaded the way you want (3rd party apps etc..)
2. Run sysprep.exe, when prompted shut down.
3. Take a new image from the machine
4. Drop the image on a new box and boot it. (or several new boxes)
5. complete mini-setup on the new box.

In addition to this excellent advice; you can test all of this in Vmware or other virtualization software before you attempt this on a live, functional system.

The beauty of free software! 🙂

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I've not used Sysprep before, but I understand it allows you to specify the CD key, computer name, workgroup, etc. Considering I've already got a working XP system with applications, drivers, etc. -- do I use Sysprep and then make the image?

If you've never done it before keep it simple.

1. Extract sysprep and whatnot from the deploy.cab on your windows cd to a c:\sysprep folder. Do this after your machine is loaded the way you want (3rd party apps etc..)
2. Run sysprep.exe, when prompted shut down.
3. Take a new image from the machine
4. Drop the image on a new box and boot it. (or several new boxes)
5. complete mini-setup on the new box.

Excellent! Thank you very much.

I misunderstood thinking Sysprep was a tool used only during the installation of XP. Now it makes sense. :thumbsup:

 

[networkman]

One extra word of advice(from experience): Take an image BEFORE you run Sysprep - that way you can easily restore it and add additional software or drivers if you find you messed something up. 😉

At my work, we keep both a "Pre" and a "Post" image regarding sysprep for each model of machine. It's saved us alot of grief more than a couple times. 🙂

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: networkman
One extra word of advice(from experience): Take an image BEFORE you run Sysprep - that way you can easily restore it and add additional software or drivers if you find you messed something up. 😉

At my work, we keep both a "Pre" and a "Post" image regarding sysprep for each model of machine. It's saved us alot of grief more than a couple times. 🙂

Even after mini-setup starts you can knock a machine out of mini-setup to end the sysprep process. Just shift-F10 during mini-setup, bring up regedit. There is a KB on what keys to change.