How do OEM's create the user wizard on first boot on new pc?

LordVader

LordVader

LordVader

Associate
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
804
Location
Leicester
I was just wondering how companys like Dell install all the apps onto a pc then when a customer first turns pc on they are welcomed with the user wizard setup,regional settings etc etc

There must be something built into windows to allow people to do this :confused:
 
The reason i ask is i got 2 order a couple dell laptops, have them delivered so i can install apps required then send them abroad.

But person im sending them 2 kinda wants them as a present and they dont want to know that the laptop has been used.

I just didnt know how to, like Trigger said put it back to factory mode
 
LordVader said:
The reason i ask is i got 2 order a couple dell laptops, have them delivered so i can install apps required then send them abroad.

But person im sending them 2 kinda wants them as a present and they dont want to know that the laptop has been used.

I just didnt know how to, like Trigger said put it back to factory mode
Click to expand...

Ahh, I see :)

What you need to do then is get hold of a windows xp pro disk and go into the tools folder inside the support one. You then need to extract deploy.cab to a folder called sysprep on the C:\ and it must be called sysprep- nothing else.

Then remove the disk and go into the sysprep folder on the C:\ and run the setupmgr.exe file. Hit next twice then select sysprep install, hit next, select the version of windows you are running and hit next again. Then go through the options until you come to the finish button at which point it will prompt you to create the file- leave the default name 'sysprep.inf' (Do not change it) and save it in the C:\sysprep folder. Just as a side note, do not encrypt the administrator password if you specify one as it will cause sysprep to fail.

You now need to ensure all the programs are setup the way you want etc before you run the sysprep.exe file. Then when you are ready, open the sysprep.exe file inside the c:\sysprep folder, select yes on the prompt. Now tick the reseal box and ensure the dropdown box is set to 'shutdown'. You can also check the minisetup box if you like- your choice. Once run, the machine will shutdown (Be sure not to interrupt the sysprep process). Now, you can boot one of the machines back up to see if it works the way you want but you will need to run sysprep again before you finally shutdown so make sure you make a copy of the sysprep folder in a place other than the c drive as booting the machine back up will remove the sysprep folder on the c:\

Hope that helps :)
 
Ok i tryed that.

How do you get the "pritty" xp setup thing though......hard to explain just when i did what you said it was like a 98 install.

Im after when you get the nice ? thing and internet connection wizard on first boot :P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom