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Windows Forum / Windows XP / Setup and Deployment / July 2008Wiping corporate laptops - resetting Windows installation
Hi experts, The place where I work is 'rotating' a stack of older staff notebooks out, to be replaced with shiny new ones. Each notebook being rotated out has an XP Home CoA on it, but for our workplace we (legally) used a VLK. After installing a fresh new XP Home, fully updated, SP3, all updates, etc how do I:- Remove the product key I used to install this Home version, thereby forcing the user to enter the XP Home CoA key stuck to the notebook they purchase (and also reset activation) Remove the Computer Name I used to install XP Home, so the user has to enter a new machine name Remove any trace of the User I created, thereby forcing the purchaser to fill in the Users panel. At that point (removing all this info), I'd pull a Ghost image, and wipe all the machines being rotated out. Staff have specifically requested the machines being rotated out be wiped - I might as well Ghost XP Home on to them. Thanks, Mark The only legitimate way to return the computers to their original factory operating system is to use the original OEM installation media that came with the PCs. You have to provide the original media to the next owner anyway.  SignatureCarey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience - Windows Vista Enthusiast --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi experts, The place where I work is 'rotating' a stack of older staff notebooks out, to be replaced with shiny new ones. Each notebook being rotated out has an XP Home CoA on it, but for our workplace we (legally) used a VLK. After installing a fresh new XP Home, fully updated, SP3, all updates, etc how do I:- Remove the product key I used to install this Home version, thereby forcing the user to enter the XP Home CoA key stuck to the notebook they purchase (and also reset activation) Remove the Computer Name I used to install XP Home, so the user has to enter a new machine name Remove any trace of the User I created, thereby forcing the purchaser to fill in the Users panel. At that point (removing all this info), I'd pull a Ghost image, and wipe all the machines being rotated out. Staff have specifically requested the machines being rotated out be wiped - I might as well Ghost XP Home on to them. Thanks, Mark In selling a used laptop, I doubt there is any legal requirement of the seller to provide installation media. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > The only legitimate way to return the computers to > their original factory operating system is to use [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Mark If the refurbisher does not have the original recovery media, they may be able to obtain the recovery media from the original manufacturer of that PC. A new Windows license is required for a refurbished PC if: The refurbisher cannot obtain the original recovery media, or The PC does not have a hard-disk based recovery image. In this case, the refurbisher must purchase a new license in order to deliver a genuine Windows operating system experience with the refurbished PC. SignatureCarey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience - Windows Vista Enthusiast --------------------------------------------------------------- In selling a used laptop, I doubt there is any legal requirement of the seller to provide installation media. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > The only legitimate way to return the computers to > their original factory operating system is to use [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Mark How does selling off used laptops makes one a "refurbisher"? Refurbished and used are 2 different things. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > If the refurbisher does not have the original recovery media, they may > be able to obtain the recovery media from the original manufacturer of [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] >> >> Mark If you are preparing equipment for resale, you are a refurbisher. SignatureCarey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience - Windows Vista Enthusiast --------------------------------------------------------------- How does selling off used laptops makes one a "refurbisher"? Refurbished and used are 2 different things. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > If the refurbisher does not have the original recovery media, they may > be able to obtain the recovery media from the original manufacturer of [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] >> >> Mark I would disagree. Is this your opinion or do you have supporting documentation as far as the requirements of reinstallation media is concerned. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > If you are preparing equipment for resale, > you are a refurbisher. [quoted text clipped - 61 lines] >>> >>> Mark All you have to do is read an OEM Windows XP EULA. It states that in order to transfer an OEM Windows license, you must include the original installation media or the Windows recovery partition must be intact. SignatureCarey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience - Windows Vista Enthusiast --------------------------------------------------------------- I would disagree. Is this your opinion or do you have supporting documentation as far as the requirements of reinstallation media is concerned. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > If you are preparing equipment for resale, > you are a refurbisher. [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] >>> >>> Mark Ya know, I should have realized that would be in the EULA, I seem to be having a second Monday. Signature---- Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375 > All you have to do is read an OEM Windows XP EULA. > It states that in order to transfer an OEM Windows license, [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] >>>> >>>> Mark > Hi experts, > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > requested the machines being rotated out be wiped - I might as well > Ghost XP Home on to them. After all of the replies to this thread, it still doesn't look like anyone has answered your question... Licensing and media issues aside, it seems to me like sysprep is the answer you are looking for. See How to Use Sysprep: An Introduction at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457073(TechNet.10).aspx While you are at it, you can preserve the OEM pre-activation per http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078(TechNet.10).aspx as well. This might be a good idea since per that article "In order to reduce a significant source of piracy, Microsoft has disabled online activation for COA Keys that are attached to PCs that have been pre-activated by OEMs." Regards, Dave |
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