Activation after sysprep problem

[SKB]

I bought three compaq evo pc's that were off lease and refurbished. They
all have COA labels. I made some partition changes, installed SP2,
updates, installed some software on one pc. I used sysprep so I could
create an image for the other two.

After rebooting and going through the mini-setup, I can't get windows to
activate. Even when using the serial number from the COA label.

Was there something I missed in sysprep?

Any help appreciated.

SKB

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You need to obtain and use the Compaq recovery CD
rather than any other Windows XP CD.

The Product Key affixed to your Compaq computer is only
valid with Compaq's Recovery CD.

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...3&lang=en&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bph07143

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I bought three compaq evo pc's that were off lease and refurbished. They
| all have COA labels. I made some partition changes, installed SP2,
| updates, installed some software on one pc. I used sysprep so I could
| create an image for the other two.
|
| After rebooting and going through the mini-setup, I can't get windows to
| activate. Even when using the serial number from the COA label.
|
| Was there something I missed in sysprep?
|
| Any help appreciated.
|
| SKB

 

[SKB]

You need to obtain and use the Compaq recovery CD
rather than any other Windows XP CD.

The Product Key affixed to your Compaq computer is only
valid with Compaq's Recovery CD.

HP and Compaq Desktop PCs - Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...3&lang=en&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bph07143

So, does that mean compaq and Hp computers can't be deployed or cloned
using sysprep tools?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

What type of Windows XP CD did you use? Most companies
acquire a Volume License for Windows XP Professional and
use that CD to create and deploy their sysprep image.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| So, does that mean compaq and Hp computers can't be deployed or cloned
| using sysprep tools?

 

[Leythos]

So, does that mean compaq and Hp computers can't be deployed or cloned
using sysprep tools?

Did you try to activate by phone?

 

[SKB]

What type of Windows XP CD did you use? Most companies
acquire a Volume License for Windows XP Professional and
use that CD to create and deploy their sysprep image.

It was an already working activated Xp SP1 install. I just wanted to use
it as a clone for the other two and save some time.

 

[Ghostrider]

It was an already working activated Xp SP1 install. I just wanted to use
it as a clone for the other two and save some time.

Cloning only saves time when dealing with near-identical
units and, as mentioned earlier, using the Volume License
version.

 

[SKB]

Cloning only saves time when dealing with near-identical
units and, as mentioned earlier, using the Volume License
version.

I used to work for an organization that supported schools and we used to
use sysprep all the time. They were Volume License versions though. That
must be the difference.

Thanks for the input all,
SKB