XP Setup Deployment

One task at my job is setting up XP Home OEM with various accounts & software.
What I want to do is set up one complete and copy that drive to any PC.
Problem is with XP activation. When I copy the system over would I just change the key or have to reactivate? Would this require deleting the wpa and activating the new key?
FYI- These all have the same hardware - just different com ports for the modems.
I tried using an unactivated XP, copy to the new system, change the key & activate - but after 30days the unactivated one is done. (I dont want to do this every 30 days either).

 

Your best bet is going with a corporate volume license.

I've not heard of OEM volume licenses.

Then, do an unattended install, or use sysprep.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;299840

 

One way to get past using sysprep in XP is running a program called newsid.

http://www.systernals.com/ntw2k/source/newsid.shtml

This is a nice program that keeps you from having to run sysprep and then a minisetup or unattended install of the imaged machines.

Once you image the machine and boot it up you go to the run box and type in: c:\newsid.exe /a 'computername'

This program then runs changing the SID and computer name, when used with the /a switch. and reboots right as rain. We use it here at my company and have had no problems with it.

 

I can't help but think that it won't get past the issue of activation, however, which was his concern.

Sysinternals doesn't mention anything about that, either?

 

Might find this of use:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_volumefaq.mspx

and
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.mspx

 

Its not volume license.. ( I dont understand why it is not, it was not my decision) they all have an individual key on their stickers. So it is not about deploying just XP - but my specific setup with other software & accounts.
These PCs are also serviced outside of my office (the main on the contract bought them, I just add to them) so actually they have XP loaded.. I just want to avoid have to load software & setup accounts of 100's of PCs.

I was hoping to drop an image, swap keys for the one that is supposed to be there and go... but need the actual steps or more know how on activation.
I am not getting by activation or anything illegal, just wanting to shortcut other things.
READ the original post - these are activated.. no need for MS antipiracy sites

 

my buddy works for a company and does this on a daily basis, If you do not resolve your problem send him an email and tell him be0 gave you his email address:
grobar@gmail.com

ummm this may be dumb but il throw it in anyway:
also there is a software tool that allows you to just change the CD key of xp