Simple Sysprep with identical hardware

[Insomniator]

I have 10 identical laptops I'd like to deploy an image to using Clonezilla.

I don't need a custom answer file, bringing them to the OOBE would be fine. I just want to be able to select OOBE and shutdown the machine and capture the image.

I am reading however that I still have to generalize to get a new SID. Whats the point of the check box if the regular Sysprep won't create new SID's? If I generalize, all of my drivers will be removed. But to use persistalldevices would require an answer file.

Is Sysprep without the generalize function used just to make a computer look like its just out of the box but still maintains the SIDs?

 

[Bubbaleone]

Your drivers aren't removed in the BTP scenario, and new SIDs are created during oobe. See number three in the below quoted excerpt regarding system-specific data that sysprep removes.

Creating a Build-to-Plan (BTP) Windows Image

In the build-to-plan (BTP) scenario, you create a single Windows reference image to install computers that use the same hardware configuration. You customize the single Windows reference installation by installing Windows and then adding additional drivers and applications. You then capture the Windows image and use it to install your computers. No additional modifications are made to this image.

This scenario comprises the following stages:

1. You install Windows on a reference computer.
2. After the installation is complete, you boot the computer and install any additional device drivers or applications.
3. After you update the Windows installation, you run the sysprep /oobe /generalize command. The /generalize option instructs Sysprep to remove system-specific data from the Windows installation. System-specific information includes event logs, unique security IDs (SIDs), and other unique information. After the unique system information is removed, the computer shuts down. The /oobe option instructs the Windows installation to run Windows Welcome the next time the computer boots.
4. After the computer shuts down, you can boot to Windows PE or another operating system on the computer.
5. You then capture the Windows installation with ImageX, by creating a reference image with which to install computers with the same hardware configuration.

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[paul878]

Here, MS can explain it better than me.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff716298.aspx

 

[Bubbaleone]

Here, MS can explain it better than me.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff716298.aspx

You're only confusing the issue because the link you provide regards using sysprep to prepare for an unattended setup, which is not what the OP wants to do. BTP is not an unattended setup requiring an answer file; the sysprep /oobe /generalize command does not remove driver files when the image is created. This is an oobe (out-of-box-experience) setup.