Windows 2000 Sysprep setups.

[Rilescat]

Howdy ......

Can anyone tell me how to setup sysprep scripting so that on the system's first bootup, I can specify HOSTNAME and let everything else be automatically done????

Thanks

 

[LiLithTecH]

What will you be using to make the image?

Ghost, Drive Image, MS MSI, etc....

Will the image be used on multiple PC configurations or just one?
(i.e. All the same hardware)

 

[SaigonK]

If you specify the hostname, every machine you ghost to will have that name as well....just a thought to keep in mind. It isnt dynamic.

 

[mboy]

If you havent picked your cloning software yet, I HIGHLY reco PowerQuest Depoly Center. I am upgrading 30 new rigs @ work (XP PRO) and deploy center has a built in Sysyprep utlity that will walk you thru your answer files and set the up autonaticially for you. VERY NICE feature.
Since my rigs all came with OS as OEM, I left it blank for the key, put in the domain as a workgroup so I could add to domain later, let it specify computer name and had it answer for desktop size, timezone, resolution etc. All I really have to do is re enter the license key, approve the EULA for the basic setup. Then I do what I have to do, rename computer and join it to the domain. It is a VERY nice wizard like tool that creates the answer files for you. ANd yes, it even does NTFS partitions. I was able to deploy my 1st 6 rigs within 1 week using it. That includes getting the rigs on monday (they were supposed to be win 2k, but they shipped XP instead and I decided to keep it so took some time to adjust for that), configured users desktop settings like their replaced rigs(shortcuts, etc) and even imported all their email and stuff.
Good stuff!

 

[Rilescat]

Originally posted by: LiLithTecH
What will you be using to make the image?

Ghost, Drive Image, MS MSI, etc....

Will the image be used on multiple PC configurations or just one?
(i.e. All the same hardware)

We are using Ghost 7.5 Enterprise.

All of the images are being used on a single type of box, roughly 125 of them.

 

[Rilescat]

Originally posted by: mboy
If you havent picked your cloning software yet, I HIGHLY reco PowerQuest Depoly Center. I am upgrading 30 new rigs @ work (XP PRO) and deploy center has a built in Sysyprep utlity that will walk you thru your answer files and set the up autonaticially for you. VERY NICE feature.
Since my rigs all came with OS as OEM, I left it blank for the key, put in the domain as a workgroup so I could add to domain later, let it specify computer name and had it answer for desktop size, timezone, resolution etc. All I really have to do is re enter the license key, approve the EULA for the basic setup. Then I do what I have to do, rename computer and join it to the domain. It is a VERY nice wizard like tool that creates the answer files for you. ANd yes, it even does NTFS partitions. I was able to deploy my 1st 6 rigs within 1 week using it. That includes getting the rigs on monday (they were supposed to be win 2k, but they shipped XP instead and I decided to keep it so took some time to adjust for that), configured users desktop settings like their replaced rigs(shortcuts, etc) and even imported all their email and stuff.
Good stuff!

SWEET FEATURE!! Have any/know where I can aquire some documentation on that. We don't use Deploy Center at this time, but my boss is willing to buy a copy just for this one feature of setting up sysprep scripts.

Cool cool cool....

 

[mboy]

Sure, go to www.powerquest.com I believe they have a 30 day trial (full).
I have been using to deploy my 30 new XP rigs and it is AWESOME. It will stress your network for sure if their are any weakspots, but it is AWESOME!!!!!!
Can also read/write NTFS partitions as well.

Much less $$ the ghost.
I got a VL for 30 and it cost me under $600 I believe.
Good, good stuff!

 

[Teva24]

No one has mentioned RIS (Remote Installation Services). It's free with Windows 2000 Servers. A bit more difficult to use than Ghost, but allows you to pick the naming scheme for new computers. If you have supported NIC's you can boot right off the network using TFTP with the network card or floppy disk.

Take a look:

http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=8433

You can even deploy Windows 2000 Servers/Windows.NET Servers as well as 2K and XP Pro.
Customizable so that you don't even need to enter and keys or configuration info. F12 and go.

Search for google for "Windows 2000 RIS" for more info.

Another advantage is the SingleInstanceStore, where additional images of pc's don't require more space to store, it only keeps a single copy of each unique file, and uses NTFS reparse points for the rest, you can have say 30 images (each 3gig) and it's only going to take about 5 gig of space. Also an advantage: Ghost and such don't allow you to deploy to PC's with different HAL's, Standard and ACPI require individual images, RIS can do both with one image.

Of course there are some issues: You have to have AD and use MS DHCP and more, but for the most part it's pretty stable. and free.

You can install it from Windows 2000 servers, by the Add/Remove windows components.
Don't put it on a Domain Controller.

Forgive rambling...