Chris Nizzardini, Salt Lake City Utah, Web Developer Specializing in LAMP+Ajax Since 2006

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Software

Using SYSPREP to Create Windows XP Images

Posted by chris on February 16th, 2007 in Software

I frequently forget the steps involved in Sysprepping a box. The easiest way to prepare a machine for imaging with sysprep can be broken into 4 steps.

Step 1. Creating the SysPrep Folder
Step 2. Run SETUPMGR.EXE
Step 3. Customer Software
Step 4. Sealing the Work Station

Step 1. Creating the SysPrep Folder

Create a folder called C:\SYSPREP and copy the following files from a Windows XP Pro installation CD to it:

D:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB\FACTORY.EXE
D:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB\SETUPCL.EXE
D:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB\SETUPMGR.EXE
D:\SUPPORT\TOOLS\DEPLOY.CAB\SYSPREP.EXE

Step 2. Run SETUPMGR.EXE

Double-click C:\SYSPREP\SETUPMGR.EXE

Click Next at the welcome screen. On the next screen make sure the Create a new answer file option is selected and click Next.
At the product install section ensure Sysprep Install option is selected and click Next.
At the platform screen make use the Windows XP Professional.
At the License Agreement screen select No, don’t fully automate the installation option and click Next.

Step 3. Customer Software

Here you can select various options such as name, organization, display settings, time zone, default administrative password, langue etc…
When done click Finish.

Sometime it looks like the window is hanging after you’ve clicked finish, if it this window remains for longer than 20-30 seconds just click cancel.

Step 4. Sealing the Work Station

Double click the C:\SYSPREP\SYSPREP.EXE icon to begin sealing the workstation.
At the windows system preparation tool screen click OK.
At the system preparation tool screen enable the MiniSetup and ensure that shutdown is selected and then click Reseal.
At the prompt to continue with current settings and regenerate the SIDs click OK.

At this point sysprep will seal the system and shut it down. Now utilize your imaging utility (ghost, acronis…) to create the image.

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 16th, 2007 at 10:44 pm and is filed under Software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Using SYSPREP to Create Windows XP Images”

  1. Denziya says:
    October 10, 2007 at 9:21 am

    Thanks a million, new job, couldn’t remember all the steps. You saved my rear. For anyone who hasn’t used sysprep, it is great, speeds up your new setup.

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