I love this product. Its been really easy to use on XP and Windows 7 but I am having issues.
Here's the process:
- I setup up a brand new Windows 7 machine, give it a name, join to domain, tweak settings, and install all the software I want on it.
- then I run sysprep (from system32) and generalize the PC. then shut down
- then I create my image using clonezilla and save it to an external HDD.
When I deploy the image to a new (different) windows 7 machine (same hardware), of course the second half of sysprep continues. So I give it a name and log in. It's already joined to the domain and all my programs work. Here's the rub…
In XP, sysprep had an answer file I could tweak. Microsoft wants me to use WIndows 7 deployment tool to create an unattend.xml for this type of thing but I've tried it and its stupid. I like sysprep. But with Windows 7 sysprep, theres no way to reassign the XP Product key or product ID (like there is in XP's sysprep). Without changing the ID or key, the newly deployed machine would have the same key and id as the machine I imaged in the first place- not good. So I found a program to change the product key (inputting the key that is on the case of the PC). But then I get notified that windows is not activated. When I go to activate it via the internet it fails. I have to call Microsofts automated line and go through the grueling process of reassigning a product ID.
I'm always deploying new windows 7 machines and imaging them has been a huge time saver, the setup part has been a pain.
SO what I'm getting at is, and this may not be the place to ask this, but is there a better way (a way that is not reverting to Microsoft Windows AIK deployment tool)? Has anyone here dealt with this?
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I love this product. Its been really easy to use on XP and Windows 7 but I am having issues.
Here's the process:
- I setup up a brand new Windows 7 machine, give it a name, join to domain, tweak settings, and install all the software I want on it.
- then I run sysprep (from system32) and generalize the PC. then shut down
- then I create my image using clonezilla and save it to an external HDD.
When I deploy the image to a new (different) windows 7 machine (same hardware), of course the second half of sysprep continues. So I give it a name and log in. It's already joined to the domain and all my programs work. Here's the rub…
In XP, sysprep had an answer file I could tweak. Microsoft wants me to use WIndows 7 deployment tool to create an unattend.xml for this type of thing but I've tried it and its stupid. I like sysprep. But with Windows 7 sysprep, theres no way to reassign the XP Product key or product ID (like there is in XP's sysprep). Without changing the ID or key, the newly deployed machine would have the same key and id as the machine I imaged in the first place- not good. So I found a program to change the product key (inputting the key that is on the case of the PC). But then I get notified that windows is not activated. When I go to activate it via the internet it fails. I have to call Microsofts automated line and go through the grueling process of reassigning a product ID.
I'm always deploying new windows 7 machines and imaging them has been a huge time saver, the setup part has been a pain.
SO what I'm getting at is, and this may not be the place to ask this, but is there a better way (a way that is not reverting to Microsoft Windows AIK deployment tool)? Has anyone here dealt with this?
I am not familiar with Windows 7's sysprep. Is anyone on the forum can share his/her experience about this?
Thanks in advance.
Steven.