XP First run

[Guest]

I have just build a PC for someone, and installed XP home.

The first time you boot XP, you get a screen welcoming you to Windows, and
gets you to create your user account(s)

What I want to do is get in to Windows, activate it, install drivers etc,
and generally get everything up and running but then 'fool' Windows into
thinking that the next time it boots is the first time, so that when I hand
the computer over to its new owner, they will be welcomed with the fisrt run
screen where they can put their name in and feel like they have a new
computer, rather than one that has been set up for them...

I am just trying to give the installa professional touch, a bit like when
you buy a PC from a big manufacturer..

I assume the 'Thank you for purchasing Windows, lets get you started' screen
it is just a mini application which Windows puts in the runonce section of
the registry??

Is there any way of doing this (other than using the pre-install kit for
OEMs which I don't have, and presumably isn't available for consumers)

Thanks

nh

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have just build a PC for someone, and installed XP home.

The first time you boot XP, you get a screen welcoming you to
Windows, and gets you to create your user account(s)

What I want to do is get in to Windows, activate it, install
drivers etc, and generally get everything up and running but then
'fool' Windows into thinking that the next time it boots is the
first time, so that when I hand the computer over to its new owner,
they will be welcomed with the fisrt run screen where they can put
their name in and feel like they have a new computer, rather than
one that has been set up for them...

I am just trying to give the installa professional touch, a bit
like when you buy a PC from a big manufacturer..

I assume the 'Thank you for purchasing Windows, lets get you
started' screen it is just a mini application which Windows puts in
the runonce section of the registry??

Is there any way of doing this (other than using the pre-install
kit for OEMs which I don't have, and presumably isn't available for
consumers)

sysprep

The tools are available as long as you want to use them and get them...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...91-AC56-4665-949B-BEDA3080E0F6&displaylang=en

 

[Guest]

Perfect, thank you.

I had no idea that these tools were avaiable to the end user, and so easy to
use! The ironic thing is that syprep.exe is on the Windows CD - which I have
had dozens of all along... I just never thought to explore them...

Thanks again

Nick