Sysprep on a Vista Rollback to XP forces reactivation

Hi all,

We are getting "windows activation" come up after loading a ghosted image on
our new laptop builds. Please read on for full explanation:

We have 50 laptops to roll out in my organisation. these laptops are HP
Vista OEM machines that have been rolled back for us in the factory to XP
(the laptops have a vista OEM sticker on them).

Steps we take:
1. We installed SP3 on the laptops and installed everything ready to roll in
our SOE.
2. We sysprep it using latest version of sysprep
3. When testing that buid we get the familiar "set of keys" asking to
activate windows.

I've tried entering the vista OEM product key but that obviously doesnt work.

My problem lies with this - because:
1. We cant be ringing microsoft 50 + times to activate, not to mention in
the future when the inevitable failure happens.
2. We do not have any XP product keys anyway - but do have the XP restore
CD's from the HP factory - but no product keys on them.

My Question:
Is there a way to sysprep the laptop so that it doesnt ask for activation?

Thanks,
Rod.

Sorry - I put this post in the wrong group - ive created it again in:
Windows XP - Setup and Deployment.
Cheers.

"elzoido" wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> We are getting "windows activation" come up after loading a ghosted image on
> our new laptop builds. Please read on for full explanation:
>
> We have 50 laptops to roll out in my organisation. these laptops are HP
> Vista OEM machines that have been rolled back for us in the factory to XP
> (the laptops have a vista OEM sticker on them).
>
> Steps we take:
> 1. We installed SP3 on the laptops and installed everything ready to roll in
> our SOE.
> 2. We sysprep it using latest version of sysprep
> 3. When testing that buid we get the familiar "set of keys" asking to
> activate windows.
>
> I've tried entering the vista OEM product key but that obviously doesnt work.
>
> My problem lies with this - because:
> 1. We cant be ringing microsoft 50 + times to activate, not to mention in
> the future when the inevitable failure happens.
> 2. We do not have any XP product keys anyway - but do have the XP restore
> CD's from the HP factory - but no product keys on them.
>
> My Question:
> Is there a way to sysprep the laptop so that it doesnt ask for activation?
>
> Thanks,
> Rod.