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fshguo

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RIS, Sysprep, Ghost and XP license

Hi...We are about to rollout the XP pro. As well known, MS is very restrict on the XP license now. By default, all our computers come with an OEM XP pro license, We used to use Ghost image, and was told that it is only good for XP Volume License.

We then turn to use RIS and/or Sysprep.
Could any body confirm that:
1) if RIS (RIPrep) is good for OEM license?
2) if Sysprep is good for OEM license?
3) What is the difference between RIPrep and Sysprep?
4) if the OEM license = Volume License?

Thanks,
fshguo.


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Pete Long
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Stop - you CANT roll out multiple clients with OEM licences full stop

Original Equipment Manifacturer Licences are for the machine they came with and nothing else - to roll out clients legally you need a select agreement and you need volume licencing
Microsoft Volume Licensing FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/faq.mspx

Volume Licensing Briefs Downloads
Licensing briefs are a series of documents you may download to get up-to-date, accurate information on specific Microsoft licensing topics. Subjects are chosen based on feedback from volume-licensing customers.
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/volbrief.mspx

You CAN use any deployment tool to roll out images using OEM version of windows XP - However you must sysprep them first and EVERY client will need to be reactivated with Microsoft to its OEM licence (the one on the COA sticker on each PC)
I'm with PeteLong

I use Ghost to roll out OEM licenses on my workstations.  The one step I omit is to enter a CD-Key in Sysprep.  When mini-setup gets to that point I just enter the key on the OEM sticker then do the activation from within windows.

The one thing you will not be able to do is build the machine using the XP media you got with a volume purchase.  The OEM key will fail when you try to enter it.  I have to strip out all the manufacturer's crap and install what I want on them then sysprep the OEM build.
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fshguo

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Can you be specific on process if you don't mind... you use Ghost then Sysprep, but what is mini-setup?
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Bradley Fox
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Just make sure if I understand correctly:
1) User Setupmgr.exe to create the .ini file, keep the CD-key, computer name etc...blank
2) on the source computer, create c:\sysprep folder, copy sysprep.ini and sysprep.exe over there
3) on the source computer, add all the applications which are needed.
4) Create the ghost image on the source
5) Ghost to restore this image to the distination computer
6) right after the restoration, reboot the distination computer, it will prompt you to key in the OEM CD-key and computer name...

BTW, how about the Microsoft Office license key, could that be changed too?

Thanks for the confirmation,
fshguo.
 
You got it...well add step 3a) to run Sysprep.exe on the source computer

MS Office license keys will not be able to be changed.  As long as you own OLP licenses it doesn't really matter what key you use for that.
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