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Using SysPrep for Auditing Installations

You use the auditing process to verify that a computer is functional before it is delivered to the user. During the auditing process you can, for example, check that the operating system loads and applications launch properly, run a Disk Defragmenter program, run Chkdsk to check for corrupt hard disk files, verify that the licensing agreements are not being violated, and verify that all installed devices in Device Manager are properly recognized.

Windows 2000 deployment is set up so that you can use your own auditing tools to examine each computer that has Windows 2000 preinstalled. You can examine the computer as it will exist at the user site and then use the Sysprep tool to return the computer to an end-user ready state. Then, when the user receives the computer and turns it on for the first time, the computer runs Mini-Setup.

To audit a destination computer that has Windows 2000 installed

1. Install Windows 2000 using the steps described in Using Sysprep. When Setup has completed and the destination computer has restarted, the computer is running a fully installed version of Windows 2000.
2. Create the \Sysprep folder, and then copy Sysprep.exe and Setupcl.exe to it. See Using Sysprep for more information.

   If you plan to run Sysprep from a floppy disk, you can skip this step.

3. Audit the system using a third-party auditing tool.
   

   Note

   You can restart as many times as necessary while auditing the computer to your satisfaction.

   
   

   Important

   When you are auditing, do not overwrite any system files or otherwise disturb the preconfigured computer since Sysprep does not detect or restore system files that your auditing tools have changed.

4. When auditing is complete, remove any files or folders placed on the hard disk during the auditing process. At the command prompt, move to the folder containing Sysprep.exe, and then type the following command with the options you want:

   sysprep -nosidgen

followed by any other options you want. See Sysprep.exe Syntax for more information on Sysprep command-line parameters.

5. When Sysprep finishes, immediately shut down Windows 2000. The computer is now ready to deliver to the user.