Compaq 6000 Building a Common Image - Developing a common software image for t - Page 4

Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) which can be downloaded from the

Microsoft Download Center as a free download.

SYSPREP

(System preparation tool)

—

This is a Microsoft tool that prepares the

operating system for imaging. This tool must be run before imaging a system and

then deploying that image.

SYSPREP.exe can be found on your operating system CD obtained either from HP or

Microsoft. SYSPREP, as well as other useful documentation and tools, is contained in

the named

deploy.cab

, located in the

support\tools

directory for Windows XP.

SYSPREP is located in the SYSPREP folder at

%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\SYSPREP

for Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Advantages of a Common Image

Creating a common image has several advantages.



Image reduction

–

By creating a product family-based common image, image

management becomes easier because the

number

of images that require

management is reduced.



Image validation

–

By using the image preinstalled by HP, you will start with an

image that has already undergone extensive testing and validation with the

hardware on which it will be deployed. This will save considerable testing

resources in your environment. In addition, using the HP image as a base will

bypass the Microsoft Windows Activation process that requires each user to

activate their copy of Windows (Activation is only required in Windows XP,

Windows Vista and Windows 7).



Operating System-controlled driver installation

–

By implementing the .inf file-

based driver installation method outlined in this white paper, it is assured that

hardware will be installed in the most optimal manner possible.

Limitations of a Common Image

While the use of a common image can be extremely advantageous, it is not without

caveats. Creating a common image causes a shift in the support liability from the

PC OEM back to the organization creating the common image.

It is also very important to be aware of the operating system license as well as

licensed applications that are part of the common image. Royalty-based

applications typically have strict guidelines surrounding deployment and usage. For

example, devices such as DVD have strict distribution restrictions regarding how

DVD software is distributed.

Please contact your Microsoft licensing representative for the proper operating

system license.

Compaq 6000 Building a Common Image - Developing a common software image for t - Page 4

Advantages of a Common Image, Limitations of a Common Image

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