Hi, I need to mass load a bunch of computers with Windows 2000 Pro & Office XP Pro. As all of these computers are the exact same, I figured my easiest bet is to load up one machine and then ghost it to the rest of them. Is there a way for me to then go to the ghosted machines and change the CD Keys for either Win2K and OfficeXP or both with the long list of ones MS sold us? Thanks Ali

I forgot to tell you about Office. Send me a copy of the "Setup" file that is next to the Autorun on your disk. I'll try to modify it for you and then return it. Send me mail

FJ, Thanks for the info about Win2k. I do not currently have the OfficeXP CD With me, I am waiting to receive the copy from a friend of mine as the entire MS Shipment has apparently been delayed somewhere. Dumb MS, first they made us pay a boatload for their software, then they can't ship it to us in time! Thanks Ali

Ali, There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when rolling out enmass. The first is your SIDs. If you're using Ghost you need to run SysPrep prior to ghosting the image or else every system will have the same SID and will not function correctly on the network. Also, look into SysManager which will help you create unattended setup files for Windows 2000 so you can change the system name and CD keys when installing. Set it up to run from the A: drive and you can ghost, stick in the disk, let it read the .inf file and configure itself, all without touching the keyboard. You'll need to add three files to the A: drive to have it skip booting from A: and transfer the boot to C: (NTLDR, Boot.ini, NTDETECT). As for your CD Keys, if you're setting up more than one system you should look into just buying licenses, that way all your keys are the same. And even if they aren't, as long as you have proof that you own X number of copies of Windows, then the actual CD Key isn't all that required. On the MS Office I'd setup an MSI file to install the items you want where adn how you want them. Bottom line, do some more research before rolling out the systems, it'll save you a headache later on. And good luck....