herman3
asked on
Cloning Operating System and Office XP
I have a number of PC's upon which I need to install Windows 2000 and Office XP. I know that I can use the Sysprep tool for preparing Windows 2000 (After cloning and rebooting I will be prompted for the Windows Serial Etc.) but is there a way that I can do the same thing with Office XP. I know when you purchase a PC from Dell, for example, when you first run Office you are prompted to put in the serial number and to then activate it. Is this something I can do myself to aid my cloning process?
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The Office Deployment can be called from your Sysprep.
AFAIK you do not have each number of office correctly on each computer. the most important thing is that you have the license bought and the number of installation is not greater than the number of bought licences
ASKER
What about activation with this scenario?
depends on the software licence for XP you have - if your volume licences (have a select agreement) then you dont have activation to worry about (activation is removed from a volume licenced copy of XP)
Well, to avoid the activation, you have indeed to use an installation medium that doesn't require activation ...
To quote from the first link:
"Volume Licensing (VL) media?often referred to as select media?do not require activation. As a result, VL customers (Enterprise, Select, Campus, School, and Open) will probably not find much applicable information in this article. Setup does require entry of an organization's unique product key, which is generally provided in an answer file. Note: In the past, VL customers often used retail and VL media interchangeably. Windows XP no longer permits this: retail media must now be installed using retail product keys, while VL media must be installed using VL product keys. The ProductID (PID), discussed below, can be used to determine whether the correct media is installed on a machine."
Deploying Windows XP Using Windows Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/deployment/activation/default.asp
How to Use Sysprep with Windows Product Activation or Volume License Media to Deploy Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299840
Description of Microsoft Product Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302806
HOW TO: Use Sysprep.exe Tool to Automate Successful Deployment of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302577
Automatic Logon Does Not Work if the Local Administrator Password Is Encrypted in the Answer File
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=312394
Windows XP Service Pack 1 Volume License Product Key Encryption
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328356
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20882890/Sysprep-2-0-and-windows-XP.html
To quote from the first link:
"Volume Licensing (VL) media?often referred to as select media?do not require activation. As a result, VL customers (Enterprise, Select, Campus, School, and Open) will probably not find much applicable information in this article. Setup does require entry of an organization's unique product key, which is generally provided in an answer file. Note: In the past, VL customers often used retail and VL media interchangeably. Windows XP no longer permits this: retail media must now be installed using retail product keys, while VL media must be installed using VL product keys. The ProductID (PID), discussed below, can be used to determine whether the correct media is installed on a machine."
Deploying Windows XP Using Windows Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/techinfo/deployment/activation/default.asp
How to Use Sysprep with Windows Product Activation or Volume License Media to Deploy Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299840
Description of Microsoft Product Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302806
HOW TO: Use Sysprep.exe Tool to Automate Successful Deployment of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302577
Automatic Logon Does Not Work if the Local Administrator Password Is Encrypted in the Answer File
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=312394
Windows XP Service Pack 1 Volume License Product Key Encryption
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328356
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20882890/Sysprep-2-0-and-windows-XP.html
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011511511033.aspx
On the left side click Deployment to find related informations :
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011363051033.aspx
You will see alst Toolbox wich are tools to help to automate the process :
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011362751033.aspx
Downloads for the Resource Kit :
http://www.microsoft.com/office/orkarchive/XPddl.htm
Office XP Resource Kit Documents
Office Resource Kit Tools
Normally the network installation (Sysprep like) begin with setup /a.
You can also extract the Service Pack 3 to the Network Installation, also called
Administrative Point. (AP)
You then have the choice to have this AP or put the Setup on a CD.
Good reading...