System packaging tool sysprep.exe parameters and Materials

This article describes how to use the system preparation tool (sysprep) to automatically implement the successful deployment of Microsoft Windows XP. Sysprep is a tool designed for system administrators, OEMs, and others who must automatically deploy Windows XP operating systems on multiple computers. After performing the initial installation steps on a computer, you can run the sysprep tool to prepare the demo computer for cloning.

Requirements for running the sysprep Tool
To use the sysprep tool, the computer's hardware and related devices must meet the following requirements: & #8226; the reference computer and the target computer must have compatible Hal. For example, MPS (multi-processor System) based on advanced programmable interrupt controller (APIC) must use the same APIC Hal. Systems Based on the standard Hal Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC) are not compatible with APIC Hal or MPs Hal.
& #8226; the reference computer and the target computer must have the same advanced configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support.
& #8226; reference plug-and-play devices (such as modem, sound card, network adapter, and video card) on the computer and target computer do not have to come from the same manufacturer. However, drivers for these devices must be provided.
& #8226; third-party disk image software or disk replication hardware is required. These products can create a binary image of a computer's hard disk and copy the image to another hard disk or store it in a file on a separate disk.
& #8226; the hard disk size on the target computer must be at least the same as that on the reference computer. If the hard disk on the target computer is large, this difference is not included in the primary partition. However, if the primary partition is formatted using the NTFS file system, you can use the extendoempartition item in the sysprep. inf file to extend the primary partition.
Prepare a reference computer for sysprep deployment
Format and parameters of the sysprep. inf response File
& #8226; the format and parameters of the sysprep. inf response file are the same as those of the Windows XP unattended.txt file, but only the following parts and parameters are supported:
[Unattended]
Extendoempartition
Oempnpdriverspath
Oemskipeula
Installfilespath
Keeppagefile
Resetsourcepath
Updatehal
Updateuphal
Updateinstalleddrivers
Tapiconfigured
[Guiunattended]
Adminpassword
Autologon
Autologoncount
Oemduplicatorstring
Oemskipregional
Oemskipwelcome
Timezone
[Userdata]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Licensefileprintdata]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Guirunonce]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Display]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Regionalsettings]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Networking]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Identification]
Supports the same set of entries as the unattend.txt file.
[Tapilocation]
[Sysprep]
Automatically generate entries in the [sysprepmassstorage] section.
[Sysprepmassstorage]
Allows you to use the same images on computers with different mass storage devices.
Use the installation manager tool to create the sysprep. inf response File

Sysprep Parameters

In Windows XP, you can use the following optional parameters with the sysprep command:
& #8226;-activated-do not reset the grace period for Windows product activation. This parameter can be used only when Windows Installation is activated before leaving the factory.
Important: The product key used to activate Windows installation must match the product key attached to the COA sticker on a specific computer.
& #8226;-Audit-restart the computer to enter the "Factory" mode without generating a new Security ID (SID) or processing winbom. any project in the [oemrunonce] section of the INI file. This command line parameter is used only when the computer is in "Factory" mode.
& #8226;-bmsd-fill in [sysprepmassstorage] for all available massive storage devices.
& #8226;-clean-the key device database used in the [sysprepmassstorage] section of the sysprep. inf file.
& #8226;-factory-restart when the network function is enabled but windows is not displayed or the installation is minimized. This parameter is used to update the driver, run plug-and-play enumeration, install the program, test, configure the computer with customer data, or make other configuration changes in the factory environment. For companies that use Disk Images (or clone) software, the "Factory" mode can reduce the number of images required.
Run the sysprep.exe file using the-reseal parameter after completing all tasks in "Factory" mode to prepare the end user for delivery.
& #8226;-forceshudown-shut down the computer after the sysprep.exe file is complete.
Note: this parameter is used for computers that use acpi bios. These computers cannot be shut down normally when the sysprep.exe file shows default behavior.
& #8226;-mini-Configure Microsoft Windows XP Professional to use "minimal installation" instead of "Welcome to Windows ". This parameter does not work for Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. the first running experience is always "Welcome to Windows ".
Note that if you plan to use the sysprep. inf file for automatic minimal installation, you must use the-mini switch to run the sysprep tool, or click in the GUI to select the "minimal installation" check box. If "minimal installation" is not selected, Windows XP Professional runs "Welcome to Windows" by default ".
& #8226;-noreboot-Modify the registry key (SID, oemduplicatorstring, and other registry keys) without restarting the computer or preparing for replication ). This parameter is mainly used for testing, especially to check whether the registry has been modified correctly. Microsoft does not recommend this option, because modifications to the computer after running the sysprep.exe file may invalidate the preparation for the sysprep.exe file. Do not use this parameter in the production environment.
& #8226;-nosidgen-run the sysprep.exe file without generating a new Sid. This parameter is required if you do not copy the computer that runs the sysprep.exe file or want to preinstall the domain controller.
& #8226;-PNP-complete plug-and-play device enumeration and installation of legacy devices during minimal installation. If you run Windows for the first time, the command line parameter does not work.
The-PNP command line parameter is used only when you must detect and install legacy non-plug-and-play devices. Do not use the sysprep-PNP command line parameter on a computer that only uses the plug-and-play device. Otherwise, it will increase the time required for the first running experience, without any benefit to the user.
Note: If you must use an unsigned driver, use the updateinstalleddrivers = Yes parameter together with oempnpdriverspath = and driversigningpolicy = ignore instead of the-PNP command line parameter to provide more seamless installation.
& #8226;-quiet-run the sysprep.exe file without displaying the screen confirmation message. This parameter is useful if you want to automatically run the sysprep.exe file. For example, to run the sysprep.exe file immediately after no one is involved in the installation, add the sysprep-Quiet command to the [guirunonce] section of the unattend.txt file.
& #8226;-Reboot-force the computer to automatically restart and start the "Welcome to Windows", "minimal installation", or "Factory" mode as specified. This parameter is useful if you want to review the computer and verify that the first run experience is correct.
& #8226;-reseal-clear Event Viewer logs and prepare the computer for delivery to the customer. "Welcome to Windows" or "minimal installation" is set to start at the next computer restart. If you run the sysprep-factory command, you must encapsulate the installation as the last step of the pre-installation process. To do this, run the sysprep-reseal command or click the reencapsulate button in the sysprep dialog box. To install the "installation manager" tool and create a response file, follow these steps: 1. Open "my computer" and open the support/tools folder on the Windows xp cd.
2. Double-click the "Deploy. Cab" file to open it.
3. On the "edit" menu, click "select all ".
4. On the "edit" menu, click "Copy to folder ".
5. Click Create folder ".
Enter the name of the required installation manager folder and press Enter. For example, type "Setup Manager" and press Enter.
6. Click copy ".
7. Open the new file folder, and then double-click the setupmgr.exe file. The Windows Installation manager Wizard starts.
8. Follow the instructions in the Wizard to create a response file.
For more information about how to create a response file, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
308662 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308662/) to prepare a reference computer for sysprep deployment in Windows XP, follow these steps: 1. on the reference computer, install this operating system and any programs you want to install on the target computer.
2. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and click OK ".
3. At the command prompt, go to the root folder of drive C and type MD sysprep.
4. Insert the Windows xp OS CD into the correct CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive and open the deploy. cab file in the/support/Tools Folder.
Note: To ensure that the deploy. cab file of the correct service pack version is used, use the deploy. cab file that is distributed with this service pack. Visit the following Microsoft website to download the correct version of Service Pack:
Http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx? Displaylang = ZH-CN (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx? Displaylang = ZH-CN)
5. Copy the sysprep.exe and setupcl.exe files to the sysprep folder.
Note: If you use the sysprep. inf file, you should also copy the file to the sysprep folder. To make the sysprep tool run normally, the sysprep.exe file must both be in the same folder.
6. Remove the Windows XP operating system CD.
7. at the command prompt, type CD sysprep To Go To The sysprep folder.
8. To run the sysprep tool, enter the following command at the command prompt:
Sysprep/optional parameter
Note: To view the parameter list, see the "sysprep Parameters" section.
If you run the sysprep.exe file from the % systemdrive %/sysprep folder, The sysprep.exe file will delete the entire folder and its content after the operation.
9. Microsoft recommends that you isolate the reference computer from the local network after running the sysprep.exe file on the reference computer, and then deploy the image in the local network to avoid any NetBIOS conflicts. This will allow the sysprep tool to complete the installation program, add the specified domain, and use the new computer name specified in the sysprep. inf response file.
Create a sysprep. inf response File
The sysprep. inf response file is a text file that compiles scripts for responses to a series of graphical user interface (GUI) dialogs. To create the sysprep. inf response file used by the sysprep tool, you can use a text editor or the installation manager tool that is included on the Windows XP disc and is also included in the Microsoft Windows XP Resource Kit. You must rename the response file to sysprep. inf and place it in the sysprep folder under the root directory of the drive where Windows XP is installed, or you can place these files on a floppy disk. If the sysprep folder name is different, the installer ignores it. The parameter to minimize the Installation Wizard response file is not specified here.