Workstation cloning...

[Steven Sinclair]

I'd like to be able to "clone" workstations here at work.

I have one workstation configured with Windows 2000 and Office 2000 and
every other application needed. I have everything tweaked just the way it
needs to be and I'd like to be able to "copy" (using norton ghost) this
machine to others.

Unfortunately, even though the "clone" goes off without a hitch, the office
install is "cloned" a little too perfectly. I can have five machines that are
all clones, each with unique computer names, but when I look across the
network at open word files, I see five machines all with the same name
opening five different files.

In other words, even though I can go in an give each machine unique names
after the cloning procedure, the office install keeps the name of the
original machine it was originally installed on. If I open word on each of
them, go to help and about, all five of them say the same name (under the
licensed to area).

After the cloning procedure, isn't there a way I can go in and change the
office install so that each name (under the licensed to area) is unique?
Using registry editor or something else?

Thanx.

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Steven,

The user name is indeed stored in the registry and can
be changed there or through Tools=>Options=>User Info in
Word 2000.

The company name can also be modified.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;233499&FR=1

For deploying with images some of the capability to use
the MS Office Tools came in versions after Office 2000
but you may still find the Office 2000 Resource Kit helpful
http://microsoft.com/office/ork/2000
but you can also use the MS OEM tools
http://microsoft.com/oem
if you're putting packaged workstations together.

If you're using copies of MS Office that are single user license
ones (retail) or single machine (OEM) licenses, then you may
also have issues from 'cloning'. Using a volume license agreement
can help there http://microsoft.com/licensing

========
I'd like to be able to "clone" workstations here at work.

I have one workstation configured with Windows 2000 and Office 2000 and
every other application needed. I have everything tweaked just the way it
needs to be and I'd like to be able to "copy" (using norton ghost) this
machine to others.

Unfortunately, even though the "clone" goes off without a hitch, the office
install is "cloned" a little too perfectly. I can have five machines that are
all clones, each with unique computer names, but when I look across the
network at open word files, I see five machines all with the same name
opening five different files.

In other words, even though I can go in an give each machine unique names
after the cloning procedure, the office install keeps the name of the
original machine it was originally installed on. If I open word on each of
them, go to help and about, all five of them say the same name (under the
licensed to area).

After the cloning procedure, isn't there a way I can go in and change the
office install so that each name (under the licensed to area) is unique?
Using registry editor or something else?

Thanx. >>
--
Let us know if this helped you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

For Everyday MS Office tips to "use right away" -
http://microsoft.com/events/series/administrativetipsandtricks.mspx