SysPrep XPPro OEM Nightmare

[Jen]

The fact you can only Sysprep an OEM license 3 times,
seems to be only documented in a few of the many Sysprep
resources. So this is the root of my problem.

I'm trying to build a corporate image of XP using the OEM
licenses that came with the new computers. Because of the
complexity and quantity of our applications I was doing
incremental stages of setup. Then I hit this 3 times
limit. So here are my questions:

1) Is there a way to stage an image in increments beyond
this 3 times limit? Maybe a setting I'm not sure of like
Factory or Audit.

2) Since the images have to change over time (windows
updates, application updates), is there a way to maintain
the image over more than 2-3 updates via Sysprep?

3) Since I'm betting the answer is to buy the XPP
Licenses, why do small businesses have to pay for XP
twice? Once from the hardware mfg and then again from MS
so we can actually use it? I don't get the logic of that!

Thanks,

 

[Guest]

Maybe you dont have to,with that specific of a question why not cal
microsoft and ask,if you own a copy of xp youre entitled to 2 free inciden
calls,seems a good time to use at least one of them.800 9365700

 

[Guest]

I thought OEM licenses had no free phone support...

I'm hoping someone has some advice as to the best way to
do a complex application setup and sysprep deployment of
OEM XP. I'd hate to have to tell management "yeah, I know
we already paid for XP with the computers, but we have to
buy the volume license if you want me to deploy it".

Any suggestions, warning or ideas would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,