Using Sysprep and FBReseal in POSReady
2/16/2009
You can prepare your Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 installation for duplication by using Sysprep and you can reseal your image by using Sysprep or FBReseal.
Sysprep is a utility that can be used to prepare a POSReady installation for duplication and customization. You can run Sysprep from the command line or by using the GUI, and it can be fully automated by specifying information in the Sysprep.inf file. Sysprep generates a unique Security ID (SID) to make your POSReady installation unique.
FBReseal is a utility that can be used to reseal a customized installation, and you can run it from the command line. Like Sysprep, FBReseal generates a unique SID but can only be run one time.
Sysprep is useful in scenarios when you have access to your POSReady product key, and also provides additional customizing functionality over FBReseal. FBReseal does not require a product key, but it does not have as many features as Sysprep, and it can only be run one time. If you do not have access to your POSReady product key, you must use FBReseal.
Note
If you include the File-Based Write Filter (FBWF) in your image for duplication, it must be disabled before you run Sysprep.
Preparing Your POSReady Installation for Sysprep Duplication
If you want to create a master POSReady installation for cloning purposes, there is important information that you must know.
- The master computer and destination computers must have compatible hardware abstraction layers (HALs).
- The mass-storage controllers must be identical between the master and destination computers unless you modify your Sysprep.inf file to provide additional drivers.
- Plug and Play devices can be different between the master and destination computers.
- The size of the destination computer's hard disk must be at least as large as the hard disk of the master installation.
Note
Before you run Sysprep, we recommend that you back up your computer by using disk imaging software.
How to prepare a master installation for cloning by using Sysprep
Install and configure POSReady on drive C of your master computer that has all of your desired applications, devices, updates, and so on.
Browse to the \Utilities\sysprep folder on your POSReady installation media and copy the folder and its contents to the root of drive C.
Start sysprep.exe from your C:\sysprep folder and specify your desired command-line options. These options are listed later in this section. For example:
C:\sysprep –reboot –reseal
starts Sysprep, automatically restarts the computer, and seals the installation for deployment.
Using a Sysprep.inf File
You can fully automate the changes that are made by Sysprep upon initial startup by specifying information in the Sysprep.inf file. A Sysprep.inf file can automatically populate a new image with user information, a password, geographical data, networking configuration, and so on. The following is an example of Sysprep.inf:
[GuiUnattended]
OemSkipRegional=1
TimeZone=10
AdminPassword=Password
OemSkipWelcome=1
[UserData]
FullName=User1234
OrgName=Woodgrove-Bank
ProductKey="ABCDE-12345-FGHIJ-67890-KLMNO"
ComputerName=Kiosk1234
[Networking]
InstallDefaultComponents=Yes
[Identification]
JoinWorkgroup=WoodgroveBank1
How to automate Sysprep by using a Sysprep.inf file
Install and configure POSReady on drive C of your master computer that has all of your desired applications, devices, updates, and so on.
Browse to the \Utilities\sysprep folder on your POSReady installation media and copy the folder and its contents to the root of drive C.
Create a new text file that is named Sysprep.inf and add your desired information.
Note
Make sure that you save the text file by using an .inf extension, not a .txt extension.
- Start sysprep.exe from your C:\sysprep folder and specify your desired command-line options. The Sysprep.inf file will automatically be accessed upon initial startup of the sealed image.
Sysprep Command-Line Options
You can use the following command-line options with Sysprep.
Option | Description |
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Use this option only if you have activated the Windows installation previously. |
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Restarts the computer into Factory mode without generating new SIDs or processing any items in the [OEMRunOnce] section of Winbom.ini. Use this command-line option only if the computer is in Factory mode. |
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If the [SysprepMassStorage] section header exists in Sysprep.inf, and you run the command After you use the Do not use the |
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Clears unused mass-storage drivers added by the [SysprepMassStorage] section of Sysprep.inf, and removes phantom devices created by Plug and Play. |
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Restarts in a network-enabled state without displaying Windows Welcome or mini-Setup. This option is useful for updating drivers, running Plug and Play enumeration, installing applications, testing, configuring the computer that has customer data, or making other configuration changes in your factory environment. For companies that use disk imaging (or cloning) software, Factory mode can reduce the number of images required. When you have finished your Factory mode tasks, run the |
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Shuts down the computer after Sysprep finishes.
Note:
Use this option with computers that have an ACPI BIOS that do not shut down correctly with Sysprep's default settings.
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Configures the computer to use mini-Setup. |
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Modifies registry keys (SID, OemDuplicatorString, and so on) without the system restarting or preparing for duplication. This option is used mainly for testing, specifically to see whether the registry is modified correctly. This option is not recommended because making changes to a computer after Sysprep may invalidate the preparation done by Sysprep. Do not use this option in a production environment. |
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Runs Sysprep without generating new SIDs. You must use this option if you do not duplicate the computer, or if the computer is a domain controller. |
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Runs the full Plug and Play device enumeration and installation during mini-Setup. Use |
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Runs Sysprep without displaying on-screen confirmation messages. This is useful if you automate Sysprep. For example, if you plan to run Sysprep immediately after unattended Setup, add |
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Forces the computer to restart automatically and then start mini-Setup or Factory mode, as specified. This is useful when you want to audit the system and verify that the first-run experience operates correctly. |
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Clears the Event Viewer logs and prepares the computer for delivery to the customer. If you run the command |
Using FBReseal in POSReady
To use the fbreseal
command, type the following syntax at the command prompt:
fbreseal [-autologon | -keepall | -keepdomain | -keepmounted | -keepnet | -keepuser]
You can use the following command-line options with FBReseal.
Option | Description |
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Keeps the Automatic Logon settings. |
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Keeps all the auto logon information during cloning. |
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Keeps the currently joined domain during cloning. |
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Keeps the mounted drive and drive letter settings during cloning. |
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Keeps any network settings during cloning. |
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Keeps user-specific settings during cloning. |