Wiping corporate laptops - resetting Windows installation

[Mark B]

Hi experts,

The place where I work is 'rotating' a stack of older staff notebooks out,
to be replaced with shiny new ones.

Each notebook being rotated out has an XP Home CoA on it, but for our
workplace we (legally) used a VLK.

After installing a fresh new XP Home, fully updated, SP3, all updates, etc
how do I:-

Remove the product key I used to install this Home version, thereby forcing
the user to enter the XP Home CoA key stuck to the notebook they purchase
(and also reset activation)

Remove the Computer Name I used to install XP Home, so the user has to enter
a new machine name

Remove any trace of the User I created, thereby forcing the purchaser to
fill in the Users panel.

At that point (removing all this info), I'd pull a Ghost image, and wipe all
the machines being rotated out. Staff have specifically requested the
machines being rotated out be wiped - I might as well Ghost XP Home on to
them.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The only legitimate way to return the computers to
their original factory operating system is to use
the original OEM installation media that came with
the PCs. You have to provide the original media
to the next owner anyway.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

Hi experts,

The place where I work is 'rotating' a stack of older staff notebooks out,
to be replaced with shiny new ones.

Each notebook being rotated out has an XP Home CoA on it, but for our
workplace we (legally) used a VLK.

After installing a fresh new XP Home, fully updated, SP3, all updates, etc
how do I:-

Remove the product key I used to install this Home version, thereby forcing
the user to enter the XP Home CoA key stuck to the notebook they purchase
(and also reset activation)

Remove the Computer Name I used to install XP Home, so the user has to enter
a new machine name

Remove any trace of the User I created, thereby forcing the purchaser to
fill in the Users panel.

At that point (removing all this info), I'd pull a Ghost image, and wipe all
the machines being rotated out. Staff have specifically requested the
machines being rotated out be wiped - I might as well Ghost XP Home on to
them.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[David B.]

In selling a used laptop, I doubt there is any legal requirement of the
seller to provide installation media.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If the refurbisher does not have the original recovery media, they may
be able to obtain the recovery media from the original manufacturer of
that PC. A new Windows license is required for a refurbished PC if:

The refurbisher cannot obtain the original recovery media,

or


The PC does not have a hard-disk based recovery image.
In this case, the refurbisher must purchase a new license
in order to deliver a genuine Windows operating system
experience with the refurbished PC.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

 

[David B.]

How does selling off used laptops makes one a "refurbisher"? Refurbished and
used are 2 different things.

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are preparing equipment for resale,
you are a refurbisher.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

How does selling off used laptops makes one a "refurbisher"? Refurbished and
used are 2 different things.

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[David B.]

I would disagree. Is this your opinion or do you have supporting
documentation as far as the requirements of reinstallation media is
concerned.

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

All you have to do is read an OEM Windows XP EULA.
It states that in order to transfer an OEM Windows license,
you must include the original installation media or
the Windows recovery partition must be intact.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

I would disagree. Is this your opinion or do you have supporting
documentation as far as the requirements of reinstallation media is
concerned.

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[David B.]

Ya know, I should have realized that would be in the EULA, I seem to be
having a second Monday.

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Dave R.]

Hi experts,

The place where I work is 'rotating' a stack of older staff notebooks
out, to be replaced with shiny new ones.

Each notebook being rotated out has an XP Home CoA on it, but for our
workplace we (legally) used a VLK.

After installing a fresh new XP Home, fully updated, SP3, all updates,
etc how do I:-

Remove the product key I used to install this Home version, thereby
forcing the user to enter the XP Home CoA key stuck to the notebook
they purchase (and also reset activation)

Remove the Computer Name I used to install XP Home, so the user has to
enter a new machine name

Remove any trace of the User I created, thereby forcing the purchaser
to fill in the Users panel.

At that point (removing all this info), I'd pull a Ghost image, and
wipe all the machines being rotated out. Staff have specifically
requested the machines being rotated out be wiped - I might as well
Ghost XP Home on to them.

After all of the replies to this thread, it still doesn't look like
anyone has answered your question...

Licensing and media issues aside, it seems to me like sysprep is the
answer you are looking for. See How to Use Sysprep: An Introduction at
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457073(TechNet.10).aspx

While you are at it, you can preserve the OEM pre-activation per
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078(TechNet.10).aspx as
well. This might be a good idea since per that article "In order to
reduce a significant source of piracy, Microsoft has disabled online
activation for COA Keys that are attached to PCs that have been
pre-activated by OEMs."

Regards,

Dave