How can I Create 2nd System from First ?

[Mark]

I bought 2 full retail versions of XP to apply to my current systems running
W98. I am hoping to do a full system setup on one including all my
applications, clone it and enter new license codes from the second XP and
the other Office CDs.

This would save me a lot of time by doing one set up, cloning in 1-2 hours
and re-license. instead of doing two full installs at a full day or 2 each.
Someone told me each XP CD is uniquely matched to it's CD, but I don't
believe that, however I am also not sure other approaches to clone for
efficiency (not to mention benefit of a full off line recovery backup), will
actually work..

Any advise would be appreciated, as I tried this once before (maybe a year
ago), and wasted a week then still came up emtpy.

Thanks

 

[Jerry]

You can't do that. Each install will have to be done from each CD,
separately, because the CD install is looking for the license codes. Cloning
it as you want will not allow for the license codes to be input correctly.

 

[Mark]

I hoped when the second copy started, it would realize it was in a different
system and let me enter the license code from my other XP CD since I have
multiple licenses. It really is inconvienient if you can no longer set up
every system in a home by duplicating then licensing it. I used to be able
to do that and then just have my license for proof. I would be willing to
do it and enter new keys, but to have to reinstall each one from scratch
makes it so painful.

They are really missing an opportunity to sell more licenses. I have 2
other systems I might upgrade but if each time it is a full reinstall, I
will probably just not bother with the older ones or give them away.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

There is far more documentation on this type of activity than you would
want to read. Have a look at this for starters:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/imaging/imagingsysprep.mspx

It tells you how to use sysprep for cloning WinXP installations.

 

[Michael Stevens]

You can't do that. Each install will have to be done from each CD,
separately, because the CD install is looking for the license codes.
Cloning it as you want will not allow for the license codes to be
input correctly.

He can use the same CD and use sysprep. The CD are not hard coded and you
can use the same CD to install on as many computers as you have keys for.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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