Download Windows 2000 Sysprep Overview and Demonstration

Cloning Windows 2000 and Using
Sysprep
Kevin Goddard
Microsoft Platforms Support
Contents












The Cloning process
Sysprep overview
Requirements for cloning Windows 2000 and
using Sysprep
Using Sysprep on a cloned system
Creating a Sysprep.inf file
Options with the Sysprep.inf file
Advanced settings
Sysprep.exe switches
Registry entries
Review
Glossary of terms
Microsoft Knowledge Base articles
The Cloning Process

What is cloning?



Cloning is the process of taking an
image from one system and using that
same image to build another identical
system including the operating system,
software, and all other settings and
configurations.
Allows for a mass deployment of
workstations and servers, saving time
and effort.
There are many third-party programs
that are used to clone systems.
The Cloning Process
An image is created from an
existing system using a thirdparty cloning tool.
The image is used to create
multiple systems for mass
deployment of Windows 2000based workstations and servers.
The Cloning Process
Each cloned Windows 2000-based system has
the same security identifier (SID). You must
run Sysprep on each cloned system to
prevent problems that are associated with
having duplicate SIDs in a domain or
workgroup.
SID=00000000001
SID=00000000001
Sysprep Overview

What does Sysprep do?


Main purpose – Changes the security
identifier (SID) on a cloned installation of
Windows 2000 to allow participation in a
domain or workgroup.
Also runs a mini-Setup wizard that
allows you to make computer-specific
changes to the system: the domain,
language preferences, display settings,
and so on.
Requirements for Cloning
Windows 2000 and Using
Sysprep

The following must be the same for
all cloned systems:




Hardware abstraction layer (HAL)
Ntoskrnl.exe
Boot device
The Sysprep.exe, Setupcl.exe, and
Sysprep.inf files must be in the same
location on the hard disk.
Using Sysprep on a Cloned
System

To run Sysprep:



Extract the files in the Deploy folder from the
Microsoft Windows 2000 Resource Kit on a
computer running Windows 2000 Server or
Professional.
Create the Sysprep.inf file by running
Setupmgr.exe. This answer file is similar to the
Unattend.txt file used for unattended installations.
Copy the Sysprep.exe and Setupcl.exe files from
the Windows 2000 Resource Kit, and your
Sysprep.inf file, to the location on the local hard
disk from which you want to run Sysprep
(preferably prior to cloning the computer).
Creating a Sysprep.inf File

Run Setupmgr.exe while you are logged on as an
administrator to a computer running Windows
2000 Professional or Server.

Answer each prompt as applicable to create an answer
file for a Sysprep installation.
Options with the Sysprep.inf
File
 You
can set display settings during miniSetup.
 You can fully automate mini-Setup.
 You can have the computer join a domain
during mini-Setup, but you need a user ID
with permissions to do so.
 Microsoft recommends that you use
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
(DHCP) for TCP/IP configuration.
Advanced Settings





Telephony settings
Regional/language settings
Adding printers
Running commands after the first
logon
Setupmgr can also create a folder on
the hard disk that will contain the
necessary files to run Sysprep.
Sysprep.exe Switches




/quiet -- silent mode
/nosidgen -- does not change the SID
but runs the mini-Setup wizard
/pnp -- forces Plug and Play detection
/noreboot -- does not automatically
reboot the computer
Registry Entries

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\SETUP


CloneTag: An entry to the system hive that can be
used to identify a cloned computer.
 Also specifies the date and time Sysprep.exe
was run.
CmdLine: An entry is made here that forces the
system to run the mini-Setup wizard.
Registry Entries

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Curre
ntControlSet\Control\SessionManager

Setupcl.exe: This program is invoked by
Setup, and changes the SID of the cloned
system during boot.
Review






Configure the workstation or server the way you
want (Windows 2000, programs, and so on).
Create your Sysprep.inf answer file.
Copy the Sysprep.inf, Setupcl.exe, and
Sysprep.exe files to a folder named Sysprep in
the root of drive C on the local hard disk.
Run Sysprep.exe and then shut the computer
down.
Clone the computer.
The mini-Setup wizard starts on each cloned
computer the first time it is booted.
Glossary of Terms

Mini-Setup wizard


Sysprep.inf


A shortened version of Windows 2000 Setup that
requires only computer-specific input. This is run on
the first boot after running Sysprep.
The answer file that the mini-Setup wizard uses to
automatically answer the computer-specific questions.
Setupcl.exe

A program that is run on the first boot after running
Sysprep that changes the SID of the cloned Windows
2000 system.
Glossary of Terms

Setupmgr.exe


Hardware abstraction layer (HAL)


The component in Windows 2000 that “abstracts” the
characteristics of the platform so that all architectures
look alike to the operating system. Allows Windows
2000 to run on multiple or single processors.
Ntoskrnl.exe


The program that you use to create your Sysprep.inf
file.
The core of the Windows 2000 operating system that
contains both the executive and kernel.
Boot Device

The disk controller to which the boot drive is
connected.
Microsoft Knowledge Base
Articles





Q216937: Windows 2000 System Preparation
Tool and Answer File Usage
Q240126: Best Practices for Using Sysprep
with NTFS Volumes
Q216680: How to Identify an Installation
Created with the Sysprep Tool
Q216915: Using the System Preparation Tool
on Dissimilar Computers
Q238955: How to Use Cmdlines.txt File
During Sysprep.exe Setup Wizard
Cloning Windows 2000 and
Using Sysprep
End of Presentation