sysprep question when reimagiing

[niteowl]

Hi all,

I basically a volunteer at a middle school, we have about 60 computers, all
standalone, and all the same model. In the past I have setup one machine,
then imaged it with Acronis software, and used that image on each of the
other like machines... only changes I have to make are the Computer Name,
and the IP address (all machines have unique IP's manually entered).

I keep hearing about this Sysprep program I'm suppose to have run, but have
never done so.. all computers work just fine (and have for 2 years), so I'm
wondering what exactly this program does and why I need to run it.

Am I changing the same things manually that it does anyway?

thanks,
niteowl

 

[R. McCarty]

If they do not participate in a Domain ( Server ), then the effects of
Imaging without SysPrep aren't evident. The issues comes from the
SIDs (Security Identifiers) unique to PCs/Accounts.

 

[niteowl]

Thanks R.

All the computers are members of a WORKGROUP, but not a domain. I assume
that's not the same thing. ?? All online access is through a router and
switch. (Cisco 2600 and two 48 port switches)

We have no plans at this time to go to a server, but if/when we did, is the
SID easily changed and is that all that needs changing? OR would it just be
more time efficient to reimage them running the sysprep prog?

I read the MS page on how to run sysprep, I got about half way through, and
it just seems to be too tedious for me. Still it may be easier than
manually changing every machine.. if and when it's ever needed.

Thanks for the info.

niteowl

 

[R. McCarty]

Instead of SysPrep, you might want to check out NewSID from
SysInternals. The page below has the download and a nice, concise
"White Paper" type description of the issues with cloned PCs and
how NewSID can deal with them:
http://www.sysinternals.com/utilities/newsid.html

 

[Malke]

Thanks R.

All the computers are members of a WORKGROUP, but not a domain. I assume
that's not the same thing. ?? All online access is through a router and
switch. (Cisco 2600 and two 48 port switches)

We have no plans at this time to go to a server, but if/when we did, is
the
SID easily changed and is that all that needs changing? OR would it just
be more time efficient to reimage them running the sysprep prog?

I read the MS page on how to run sysprep, I got about half way through,
and
it just seems to be too tedious for me. Still it may be easier than
manually changing every machine.. if and when it's ever needed.

If you ever get to the point of creating a server/domain (usually a good
idea, but it depends on where these computers are located) then Acronis
makes software to handle this problem. You don't have to use Sysprep. Look
at the Acronis Enterprise programs.

Malke

 

[Adam Leinss]

I keep hearing about this Sysprep program I'm suppose to have run,
but have never done so.. all computers work just fine (and have
for 2 years), so I'm wondering what exactly this program does and
why I need to run it.

It strips the SIDs from the image. If you were to make "Bob" an
administrator on a machine and then image that machine across the
enterprise, "Bob" would have admin rights on each PC you imaged. This
would be due to the duplicate SIDs in your enterprise.

Generally, it's a bad idea and one not supported by Microsoft.

Adam