Using RIS in Win2K3 to deploy Windows XP

[Guest]

Hi there, I'm starting to experiment with using Remote Installation Services
in Windows Server 2003 for our company instead of the current system we use
for new builds. The one hassle however is the fact that for every computer I
deploy Windows XP to, I have to manually enter a CD key for that computer...
no online activation is required, just the serial number (this is using RIS).
It is a hassle, and is not the unattended setup promised by Microsoft.
Please help!

 

[glenn fincher]

Hi there, I'm starting to experiment with using Remote Installation
Services
in Windows Server 2003 for our company instead of the current system we
use
for new builds. The one hassle however is the fact that for every
computer I
deploy Windows XP to, I have to manually enter a CD key for that
computer...
no online activation is required, just the serial number (this is using
RIS).
It is a hassle, and is not the unattended setup promised by Microsoft.
Please help!

Since you mentioned that "...no online activation is required", I have to
assume that you are usiing Volume License Media. To use RIS in the manner
you mention, you will just need to add the Volume License Key into the
correct field in the "ristndrd.sif" as detailed in this documentation:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prbc_cai_silp.asp

Also, you should really take a look at the Business Desktop Deployment
Solution Accelerator for automating your master build environment as well as
best practices for RIS and other image installs. Look at:

Desktop Deployment Center
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/default.mspx

Business Desktop Deployment Solution Accelerator
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/bddoverview.mspx

And you will also find additional assistance in the new
microsoft.public.windowsxp.desktop.deployment newsgroup relating to the BDD
process.

Hope this helps!

Glenn Fincher

 

[george]

Hi there, I'm starting to experiment with using Remote Installation
Services
in Windows Server 2003 for our company instead of the current system we
use
for new builds. The one hassle however is the fact that for every
computer I
deploy Windows XP to, I have to manually enter a CD key for that
computer...
no online activation is required, just the serial number (this is using
RIS).
It is a hassle, and is not the unattended setup promised by Microsoft.
Please help!

You have, of course, tried putting the line below in the section indicated?:
[Userdata]
ProductID=abcde-abcde-abcde-abcde-abcde

(or whatever product key you have).
Mind you, if it works you are using the same product id for multiple
installs.
For this to be legal, it should be a volume license type key and not just
the key from a retail copy.

hth

george