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Sysprep installs....
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| Lo folks,
On the subject of sysprep installs, please explain to me in your own words what you know about sysprep.
So far, not one of the books I have read explains this in a way which I can digest.
Basically this is a sysprep brainstorm, tell me everything and anything which you might think is relevent.
Much appreciated, Stu. | |
| ghaouf 2003-05-23, 8:28 pm |
| since i do not write that well i will tell you what microsoft wants you to know about sysprep
quote:
The Windows 2000 System Preparation Tool (Sysprep) Version 1.1 enables administrators to prepare Windows 2000 System Images as part of an automated deployment. Sysprep 1.1 is an update to Sysprep 1.0 and adds the ability to reduce the number of images required in a deployment by supporting multiple mass storage controllers.
Important: You can install the Windows 2000 System Preparation Tool on any copy of Windows 2000 you have licensed, but you must accept the license agreement presented to you before downloading the tool. If you do not accept the terms of the license agreement, you are not authorized to use the tool and should promptly remove it from your computer. If you plan to use Sysprep to prepare a Windows 2000 computer that has applications software installed, make sure you carry the appropriate licenses for the applications software you plan to duplicate.
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| Boulware5 2003-05-23, 8:58 pm |
| Well what I know about it is that sysprep duplicates a Windows 2000 hard-drive. If you have, say, 10 identical machines, you install sysprep on one, add all applications and configurations, then use the sysprep tool to duplicate it to the other nine identical machines. I myself would just use ghost.  | |
| ghaouf 2003-05-23, 9:23 pm |
| i would also use ghost but mcp wants you to know what they have and not what others have
it is not a neutral exam it is the oposite (can't this of the word) | |
| Boulware5 2003-05-23, 9:30 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by ghaouf
i would also use ghost but mcp wants you to know what they have and not what others have
it is not a neutral exam it is the oposite (can't this of the word)
Well yeah of course. | |
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| Here is my understanding of SysPrep. What Sysprep does is prepares a system for duplication, including for users of Ghost.
When W2K or similar OS is installed, SID and other system specific info is also created. If you Ghosted that, then the 2 systems would have the same SID info.
So, for example, I am planning to rollout 30 w/s. I set up my template w/s and have a user test it out for several weeks. Then I use SysPrep on my template system to scrape out all critical information. I can now dup my system without fear of conflicting data on Ghosted machines. When I start up my Ghosted machine, it will now ask me for my W2k install code, do I want to join a domain, and other normal setup information.
Hope this helps.
Steve | |
| Boulware5 2003-05-23, 9:58 pm |
| All machines must have identical hardware, right? | |
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| Cheers guys, especially smeek - you explained it pretty good! | |
| ghaouf 2003-05-24, 9:32 am |
| doesn't the sysprep also launch a mini-setup wizard after you are done (if you have it setup to do that) | |
| mrfixit 2003-05-24, 9:57 am |
| Yes, you use it to gather information that was not preconfigured in the answer file. You would use Setup Manager (setupmgr.exe), to preconfigure the MiniSetup Wizard screens. It starts the first time the computer is started with a disk that has been duplicated using Sysprep. | |
| ghaouf 2003-05-24, 10:07 am |
| so the differance between ghosting and syspreping is that the sysprep does not copy the sid | |
| mrfixit 2003-05-24, 10:22 am |
| Actually, I believe that you have to use the "nosidgen" parameter in Sysprep to keep from regenerating SID's already on the system. Anyone else? | |
| JimJohnson 2003-05-26, 1:50 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by Boulware5
All machines must have identical hardware, right?
Nope, the only thing that must be identical I believe is the HAL. Plug and Play detection during the setup will take care of everything else. Right?
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| JimJohnson 2003-05-26, 1:54 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by mrfixit
Yes, you use it to gather information that was not preconfigured in the answer file. You would use Setup Manager (setupmgr.exe), to preconfigure the MiniSetup Wizard screens. It starts the first time the computer is started with a disk that has been duplicated using Sysprep.
And speaking of the answer file, you only need one answer file even if you are installing a bunch of NT 4.0, Win95 and Win98 machines to 2000. Just need to add a couple entries to the answer file and you're all set | |
| mrfixit 2003-05-26, 7:26 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by JimJohnson
Nope, the only thing that must be identical I believe is the HAL. Plug and Play detection during the setup will take care of everything else. Right?
The reference and destination computers must have compatible HAL's. Plug and Play devices do not have to be the same, however, the drivers must be available. And most importantly, both PC's must have identical ACPI support. (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) And, it is important, but not necessary, that both Hard Drives be of equal size. (If the destination HD is larger, the difference is not included in the primary partition.) |
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