How to use Sysprep with Ghost
Question/Issue:
This document describes how to use Microsoft's System Preparation tool (Sysprep) on a Windows 2000/XP/Vista computer to change the computer's configuration.
Solution:
Sysprep is a Microsoft utility that prepares a computer for cloning (imaging) and customization. When you restart a computer after using Sysprep, Windows 2000/XP/Vista detects the attached devices such as the hard drive, CD/DVD ROM, and other Plug-and-Play devices and rebuilds the driver database the next time Windows is started.
For an overview of Sysprep, check the Microsoft document " What is Sysprep? " available at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721940(WS.10).aspx.
Notes:
- Windows NT: Because Windows NT does not support Plug-and-Play, do not use Sysprep with Ghost to create an image of a Windows NT installation.
- Windows XP: If creating an image of a Windows XP installation, use the Windows XP version of Sysprep (found on the Windows XP CD), rather than the Windows 2000 version. There are three versions of Sysprep for Windows XP:
- Windows XP without Service Pack 1 installed: Version 5.1.2600 on Windows XP installation CD.
- Windows XP with Service Pack 1: Version 5.1.2600.1106.
- Windows XP with Service Pack 2: Download from Microsoft.
- Windows XP with Service Pack 3: Download from Microsoft.
- Windows Vista: If creating an image of a Windows Vista installation, ensure you use the version installed with Vista. Sysprep files can be found at C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep.
- Differing hardware:The operating system affects how well a cloning operation will work when cloning between computers that have different hardware. For more information about these hardware differences and about using Ghost to roll out Windows NT, 2000, XP and Vista installations, see the documents:
- If you are moving an image from one type of computer to dissimilar hardware, use the Deploy Anywhere feature of Ghost Solution Suite 2.5. Check the document 'How to use DeployAnywhere.' available at http://service1.symantec.com/support/on-technology.nsf/docid/2009030416303060?Open&seg=ent
Ghost Walker and the SID Change option in the Task in Ghost Console can also change the computer configuration, but they do not prompt Windows to rebuild the Plug-and-Play driver database. For an image of a Windows 2000, XP or Vista installation, use Microsoft's Sysprep instead of Ghost to change the computer's configuration.
If you are having issues running Microsoft Sysprep with Ghost, please see this document: "Resolving issues with Microsoft Sysprep." at:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/on-technology.nsf/docid/2008022112203360
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Sysprep versions
How to use Sysprep with Ghost to create an image of a Windows 2000 or Windows XP installation
Creating Sysprep configurations
Running Sysprep correctly prevents problems when restoring the image file.
Sysprep has several options for configuring the computer, such as whether to have Sysprep automatically change the name of the computer or to have Sysprep change the Security Identification number (SID) of the computer. Each set of options is a separate Sysprep configuration.
Note: Symantec provides the following information as an aid to using Sysprep. This information is a suggestion only and is not intended to replace information from Microsoft.
Note: This information is only for Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Note: You will need to follow
Microsoft documentation for creating configurations for the Vista version of Microsoft Sysprep which requires use of the
Windows Automated Installation Kit.
To create a new Sysprep configuration
- Create a new folder. This folder will contain the Sysprep files. Ghost 7.5 and later does not require this folder to be on the root of the C drive. If you run Sysprep manually, Windows might require this folder to be on the root of the C drive.
- Follow the Microsoft instructions for creating a Sysprep.inf file and copy that file into the new folder. The options available for configuring Sysprep.inf depend on the version of Windows with which you will use Sysprep.inf file.
- Copy the Sysprep files into the new folder. For an image of a Windows 2000 installation, use Sysprep version 1.1 or later for Windows 2000. For an image of a Windows XP installation, use a version of Sysprep that is for Windows XP (See the previous section Sysprep versions).
Note: To configure Sysprep to assign a computer name that you specify or to randomly assign a computer name, edit the ComputerName entry in the file Sysprep.inf. For details, see the document
Microsoft Windows 2000 Guide to Unattended Setup.
For information on configuring a Sysprep.inf file, consult your Microsoft documentation, search for information on the Microsoft Web site, or see the following documents:
Configuring Ghost 7.5 or 8.x to run Sysprep
References:
Document ID: 2000081610075225
Last Modified: 05/28/2009
Date Created: 08/16/2000
Operating System(s): Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Product(s): Symantec Ghost 7.0, Symantec Ghost 7.5, Symantec Ghost 8.0, Symantec Ghost 8.2, Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 1.0
Release(s): Ghost 7.0 [All Releases], Ghost 7.5 [All Releases], Ghost 8.0 [All Releases], Symantec Ghost 8.2 [All Releases], Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 1.0 [All Releases]
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