Using Sysprep To Create A Windows XP Image Part IV

The first time a computer reboots after being cloned by Sysprep, a Mini-Setup wizard starts. The Mini-Setup wizard prompts the user for information to customize the installation on the target computer. However, if you want to automate the Mini-Setup wizard you can use a Sysprep.inf file.

The Sysprep.inf file is similar to an answer file in that it contains configuration information that would normally be supplied by a user during the mini setup program. In order to use the sysprep.inf, it must be placed in the Sysprep folder or on a floppy disk. The first time the computer is restarted, it will automatically look for the sysprep.inf file.

Creating the Answer File
Creating the Sysprep.inf answer file is not that difficult because a wizard will walk you through the entire process. The utility used to create the answer file is called Setup Manager. Conversely, if you are skilled in the area of answer files you can also create one using a text editor such as Notepad.

Before you can use Setup Manager to create the answer file, it must first be installed on your computer. On the Windows XP CD, locate the Support\Tools directory. Open the Deploy.cab file and copy the entire contents to a folder on your computer. Once the files have been copied, you can follow the steps outlined below to create an answer file.

1. Open the folder on your computer that contains the contents of the deploy.cab file and double click Setupmgr.exe. The Windows Setup Manager Wizard will appear. Click Next.
2. Specify whether to create a new answer file or modify an existing one. If you want to modify one, you must enter the path to the file. Click Next.
3. From the Product to Install dialog box, select Sysprep Install. Click Next.
4. Select the platform that you will be using the answer file to deploy. You can select from Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server, or Data Center. Click Next.
5. Select the level of automation you want to use and click Next.
6. The next dialog box allows you to customize General Settings, Network Settings, and Advanced Settings.
7. Once you have configured all the settings, click Finish.
8. Setup Manager creates the answer file and prompts you to choose a location to save the file. The file can be placed on a floppy disk or in the %systemdrive%\Sysprep directory.
9. Exit the Setup Manager application.

Once the Sysprep.inf answer file is created, you can open it using a text editor such as Notepad. The file may look something like the one shown below.

[Unattended]
; Prompt the user to accept the EULA.
OemSkipEula = No
;Use Sysprep’s default and regenerate the page file for the system
;to accommodate potential differences in available RAM.
KeepPageFile = 0
;Provide the location for additional language support files that
;might be required in a global organization.
InstallFilesPath = c:\Sysprep\i386

[GuiUnattended]
;Set the time zone.
TimesZone = 20
;Skip the Welcome screen when the system starts.
OemSkipWelcome = 1
;Do not skip the Regional and Language Options dialog box so that users can
;indicate which options apply to them.
OemSkipRegional = 0

[UserData]
ComputerName = XYZ_Computer1

[Display]
BitsPerPel = 16
XResolution = 800
YResolution = 600
VRefresh = 60

[GuiRunOnce]
“%systemdrive%\sysprep\file name.bat” = “path-1\Command-1.exe”"path-n\Command-n.exe”"%systemdrive%\sysprep\sysprep.exe -quiet”[Identification]
;Join the computer to the domain ITDOMAIN.
JoinDomain = ITDOMAIN

[Networking]

When creating the Sysprep.inf file, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. After a Windows XP computer cloned using Sysprep restarts, the Mini-Setup program begins. It will automatically look for an answer file on a floppy disk or in the Sysprep directory. The answer file must be named Sysprep.inf otherwise the Mini-setup program will ignore the file. If an answer file is present, it is copied to the %windir%\System32 directory as $winnt$.inf. If no answer file is present, the Mini-Setup program will run interactively, prompting you for configuration information. Also, if any required sections are missing in the answer file, the program will switch to interactive mode and prompt you for the information.

Summary
Disk duplication is a great way to reduce the amount of time it takes to install an operating system on multiple computers. The System Preparation Tool included with Windows XP can be used to prepare a reference computer to be cloned. To further automate the installation of Windows XP, you can use Setup Manager to create an answer file to be used with Sysprep. The answer file named Sysprep.inf contains the configuration information that would normally require user input during the Mini-Setup program.

[tags]sysprep, System Preparation tool[/tags]