Win2000 Setup Question

[DDad]

I've got to be installing Win2000 on 20 systems. Big hold up right now is waiting on Microsoft to send me the licences. Supposed to have them by Thursday- but this job needs to be done by Fri Evening!

Can I install using my CD (and code), then change the licence number when I get them on Thursday? If so, whats the best way to go about it?
Worst comes to worst, I'll pull a all nighter and install "right", but considering the amount of other stuff I need to do, trying to get as much done as possible

 

[flood]

ask russ, he knows all about these things
the cd key isnt stored in teh registry in win2k, like it was in win9x

 

[DDad]

I assume you mean Russ at HHT- so I posted there, too.

 

[SaigonK]

Hope this helps out:

You cannot (legally) install your copy onto 20 machines and then change the key later.
Unless you have a site wide license agreement. Not a slap on the wrist, just the wonderful heads up in case you get audited by Friday

Consider a few options I use:

I usually deploy hundreds of machines, I use Norton Ghost 7.0 and Sysprep. (from microsoft)
You can make a ghost image and then deploy it to your PC's if they are all similar, use Sysprep
to make each PC start off as a "clean" install.

For some info go here on how to do it:

be careful when syspreping machines, if you have different IDE controllers your pc wont boot.
Make sure you set the controller and your peripherals to "generic items".

Sysprep Info

 

[SaigonK]

DOH!
I am not sure if that link will let you in since it is Premier Support so here is the long text form


Windows 2000 System Preparation Tool and Answer File Usage

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The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

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SUMMARY
Windows 2000 System Preparation (Sysprep.exe)(and Riprep) tool and Answer File usage is different from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. In addition, the answer file name and location where it needs to reside for Setup is changed.




MORE INFORMATION
The following parameters can be used with the Sysprep.exe (and Riprep) tool:

pnp - Force Plug and Play enumeration on next restart


quiet - Run in Silent mode, with no dialog boxes


nosidgen - Do not regenerate security ID on restart


reboot - Automatically restart when the Sysprep.exe tool is finished


NOTE: There is not a parameter for specifying the Mini-Setup Wizard answer file. The answer file must be renamed to Sysprep.inf, and must reside in the Sysprep folder in the root of the drive on which Windows 2000 is installed. If the Sysprep folder is named differently, Setup ignores it.

The answer file's format and parameters use the same format as the Unattended.txt file, but only the following sections and parameters are supported. The answer file can be created by using a text editor or the Setupmgr.exe tool included with the Microsoft Windows 2000 Resource Kit.

[Unattended]
OemSkipEula
OemPnPDriversPath
ExtendOemPartition
InstallFilesPath
UpdateHAL
UpdateUPHAL
KeepPageFile
[GuiUnattended]
AdminPassword
Autologon
AutoLogonAccountCreation
AutoLogonCount
OEMDuplicatorString
OEMSkipRegional
OEMSkipWelcome
TimeZone
OEMDuplicatorString
TimeZone
[UserData]
All keys are supported
[LicenseFilePrintData]
All keys are supported
[GuiRunOnce]
[Display]
All keys are supported
[RegionalSettings]
All keys are supported
[Networking]
Only the InstallDefaultComponents key is supported.
[Identification]
All keys are supported
[NetClients]
All keys for Client Services for Microsoft Networks and Client Services for Netware are supported.
[TapiLocation]
All keys are supported. The values will only be valid if a modem is present on the computer.
[Fax]
All keys are supported
[Oem_Ads]
All keys are supported

For a detailed explanation about answer files and a list of valid parameter values, please refer to the Unattend.doc file in the \Support\Tools\Deploy.cab directory on the Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2000 Professional CD.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Legal or not, you can make your own Win2K bootable CD that does not require a key ... by editing one file. Search for 'slipstream' and I'm sure you'll find a decent link or three.

-SUO, done it and it works

 

[SharkB8]

What SUO said....you can and works good.

 

[bozo1]

The 'key' doesn't matter. Just tho you have proof of ownership (licenses) it doesn't matter. Most businesses use the same key for all installs.

 

[SaigonK]

True, but he said he does not have proof until after he needs the machines setup.
Im only pointing out the obvious, pbligatory licensing schema