Why won't it sysprep? - free meal on offer!!!

[Ric_]

This is annoying the hell out of me...

I have created a lovely clean installation for some HP nx6110 laptops. Everything is set up just right and I've tried to sysprep. I've followed the same process as before but it just doesn't work.

I have popped the sysprep files in C:\sysprep and the sysprep.inf is as follows:

;SetupMgrTag
[Unattended]
    OemSkipEula=Yes
    InstallFilesPath=C:\sysprep\i386

[GuiUnattended]
    AdminPassword=<my encrypted password>
    EncryptedAdminPassword=Yes
    AutoLogon=Yes
    AutoLogonCount=1
    OEMSkipRegional=1
    OEMDuplicatorstring=HP_nx6110_SCI
    TimeZone=85
    OemSkipWelcome=1

[UserData]
    ProductKey=<my code>
    FullName="Baines School"
    OrgName="Baines School"
    ComputerName=*

[Display]
    BitsPerPel=32
    Xresolution=800
    YResolution=600

[TapiLocation]
    CountryCode=44
    Dialing=Tone
    AreaCode=01253

[RegionalSettings]
    LanguageGroup=1
    Language=00000809

[SetupMgr]
    DistFolder=C:\sysprep\i386
    DistShare=windist

[Identification]
    JoinWorkgroup=baines_build

[Networking]
    InstallDefaultComponents=Yes

I have tried using the SP2 and SP3 versions of sysprep but they both do the same thing... they don't skip the mini-setup. I just get the annoying blue screen with the swirly thing and the music!

Sysprep obviously does something though because it removes the c:\sysprep folder and causes the mini-setup to kick in... it's like the sysprep.inf file isn't there.

HELP!

[p858snake]

Have you tried to run the setup manager to create a new one and point it at the file that already exists and to make sure it's saving to the sysprep folder?

[DMcCoy]

Running sysprep -quiet -pnp -reseal -mini? (possibly without the pnp) Also try without encrypted password, I've never got that to work.

[Ric_]

Have you tried to run the setup manager to create a new one and point it at the file that already exists and to make sure it's saving to the sysprep folder?

I'm on the third sysprep.inf

Running sysprep -quiet -pnp -reseal -mini? (possibly without the pnp) Also try without encrypted password, I've never got that to work.

Will maybe try that after my lunch... it's a PITA having to run through the mini-setup, copy the files, blah, blah, blah everytime!

[Michael]

I have created a lovely clean installation for some HP nx6110 laptops.

Did you use a generic OEM disc or a HP OEM disc to install Windows?

[nephilim]

make an image of the machine you want, and then copy the image to an external HDD, then put it on another machine and try to sysprep that one? I have found that doing that will fix the problem every now and then!

[Ric_]

@DMcCoy: Using an unencrypted password didn't work

@Michael: I installed using a volume license disc

@nephilim; tried that already to no avail

[Ric_]

Everything I try seems to fail... it is really getting on my wick!

If anyone fancies visiting me on Monday to help me sysprep this laptop, I'll make sure that you receive one of our excellent lunches!

[Michael]

Just a thought - looking at your Sysprep code you're joining a workgroup and not a domain. Anything to do with this possibly?

[plexer]

I would think that could be the correct answer.

Ben

[sparkeh]

Hmmm I was always under the impression it was a choice between using mini setup or getting the windows welcome screen and that if you don't use mini setup then sysprep.inf was ignored. Of course I could be wrong but from MS support site

MS support Article ID: 302577
-mini - Configures Microsoft Windows XP Professional to use Mini-Setup instead of Windows Welcome. This parameter does not affect Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, where the first-run experience is always Windows Welcome.

Note that if you plan to use the Sysprep.inf file to automate Mini-Setup, you must either run the Sysprep tool by using the -mini switch, or click to select the MiniSetup check box in the GUI interface. By default, if you do not choose to run Mini-Setup, Windows XP Professional runs the Windows Welcome.

Perhaps run with mini setup to see if sysprep.inf is respected

[plexer]

The swirly blue thing is not mini setup.

If you use mini-setup and fully automate it you then don't need to enter anything.

Ben

[Batman]

I always choose "use mini setup" and "do not fully automate".

[john]

Everything I try seems to fail... it is really getting on my wick!

If anyone fancies visiting me on Monday to help me sysprep this laptop, I'll make sure that you receive one of our excellent lunches!

I will vouch for the lunches they are VERY good

[Jobos]

@Ric_ Has this been resolved as I’ve got just the same problem.

Installed XP using slipstreamed XP SP3 with all other updates from WSUS.
Sysprep/mini setup using version 5.1.2600.5512

Setup kicks in asking for information