MCP, Windows 2000 Professional, multiple systems. I am attempting to use Sysprep to clone my non-similar systems (i.e. laptop to different laptop, laptop to desktop, desktop to desktop). I have exhausted my Sysprep resources from MS. 1) It is my understanding that Sysprep can accomplish my objective, providing original and clone harddrive are both IDE (or both SCSI) and both support ACPI: True or False? 2) True or False: I should be able to use the default "non-fancy" drivers that come with W2K, that are contained within mshdc.inf. I have not had success with this yet. Syntax example: [SysprepMassStorage] Primary_IDE_Channel=%systemroot%\inf\mshdc.inf 3)Do I *NEED* to use the $OEM$ directory structure to have Sysprep install PNP drivers? 4) Is it necessary to use the /PNP switch in the Sysprep.bat to have Sysprep re-enumerate all PNP devices, so that Sysprep will automatically look for drivers? syntax example: sysprep /pnp /forceshutdown Any direction is appreciated.

To answer number 1: "If you are using the version of Sysprep that comes with Windows 2000, the mass storage controller on the master image and the target images must be identical. For example, if you have an Adaptec 2940 controller on the master image, you cannot use that image on a machine with a Symbios Logic controller. You can however overcome this limitation by using Sysprep version 1.1, which allows you to specify the different mass storage controllers in Sysprep.inf. This updated Sysprep is not on the Windows 2000 CD, but will be available on the Web. See the link below for availability: " taken from here. I don't know about 2 or 3. 4: It is my understanding that putting /pnp in is necessary for similar but "not exactly" the same machines. If you were to get 100 of exactly the same kind of machine, you wouldn't need it. If you get 50 with one video card, and 50 with another, you could do two separate images (I would) or one image with the /pnp switch. Keep in mind, the process is probably a lot quicker without /pnp. Hope I helped

Thank you for the follow up. I have been using Sysprep v1.1. I have not had much success with this process. I listed an example of my syntax in #2, yet I continue to see blue screen: Stop 7b (indicating no mass storage controller is found). So: I question my syntax, and want to know if I am missing a step?

see technet article q271965. that'll sort you out