I've created images countless times for my machines. However, I've never been able to successfully create an image using Microsoft's Sysprep and Symantec's Ghost, though the Ghost part of it works fine. Here are some of the problems I've run into along the way:
- After customizing user profiles and copying/applying to Default User, running Sysprep negates all of those customized settings and applies to all users the settings in the Administrator's Profile (something I don't want).
- Though I use a VLA license and check the box in the Sysprep window to "Skip activation", the setup still calls for me to enter a product key
- Sysprep continues to install factory icons (i.e. Tour Windows XP, Windows Media Player, etc.) for each new profile created, even though I customized the Default User to not have it. This could be related to Sysprep ignoring the customized Default User profile I created before running Sysprep or it could be some other setting in Windows that scripts in those icons. If so, anyone have any idea how to modify it?
Microsoft Hotfix: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887816
Just ran the hotfix and it didn't seem to work. However, I ran the hotfix first then created Default User profile.
Just discovered that Sysprep with the hotfix works when using the mini-setup option. I've started to customize a sysprep.inf file for a fully automated install.
The sysprep.inf file works great, including automatically inputting in the license key, which also skips the activation process typically needed. My sysprep.inf file also adds the machine to our AD forest. I do end up having to go back into the machine and changing the computer name after it's been added to the AD, but that's a small step compared to having to go through the entire mini-setup.
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