[WDS] Activation .. AKA the current PITA ..

[soveryapt]

Right then,

I use WDS for deploying through the school and I'm just setting a new image (not done one for a while, we've changed school type and makeup and don't need some of the crap that is currently installed on them (such as the an older version of TextEase that we've upgraded etc).

Anywho, last time I just put up with the going round, logging on and activating each flippin machine once it had finished installing, but this time we have a few more machines on site (like we've doubled up pretty much) so I don't to spend the time keeping check on the machines and would really like to get this going properly for once.

We have Windows 7 Professional with VLK Licensing from our LEA and Office 2010 with VLK.

As I say, I use WDS for the imaging of the machines, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated to avoid having to logon with an admin account each time I've done a machine to get the flippin thing to activate.

Ta All
Andy T

[ChrisH]

Use the Volume activation Management Tool:
Download: VAMT 2.0 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

[soveryapt]

Use the Volume activation Management Tool:
Download: VAMT 2.0 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

I've tried that. Can't seem to get it to talk to the machines though. Or rather, it's quite hit and miss as to which ones it will talk to ..

[EvLPhenom]

Do you use an unattend.xml file for naming and joining the machine to the network. I also add into ours the licence key for office and windows and use the scripts contained for activation to activate the computers. It does require an active internet connection but generally works well here.

Scripts -
c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\ospp.vbs

If you want anymore info or example of our .xml file pm me and i will send it over to you.

[soveryapt]

Do you use an unattend.xml file for naming and joining the machine to the network. I also add into ours the licence key for office and windows and use the scripts contained for activation to activate the computers. It does require an active internet connection but generally works well here.

Scripts -
c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\ospp.vbs

If you want anymore info or example of our .xml file pm me and i will send it over to you.

Yeah, I've got the license keys already in the XML files, it's just getting around doing the activation so I'll take a look at those scripts. Are they on the computer by default then I take it when the bits of software in question are installed so you just call them with a startup script or something?