That is a windows 7 doc you referenced, and unfortunately, does not work. Anyone with a definitive answer as to whether this can work with a standard unattend.xml and standard sysprep? mpleaf

I know, I have searched and searched, and it "seems" that this is not going to ever work by design...but I just have to ask and hopefully get a definitive answer. Many posts on many pages seem to think it should, many say it won't. After I sysprep a server (2008 r2), I want it to prompt during the first start up, for a new server name. I know I can hardcode the name. I know I can use other tools such as MySysprep. Is there any way, without running other tools, to edit my xml file and have it prompt for the new server name, from a standard sysprep functionality? Thanks in advance! mpleaf

do not include the element for ComputerName ? http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff715676(WS.10).aspx Don

Hi, From the problem description, I understand that you would like to prompt up during the first start up for a new server name. At first, you need to modify your unattend.xml file to make sure that computer name is that you needed. I think you need to download the WAIK tool to modify the computer name, you could refer to the article below: Title: The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7 URL: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5753 And you will find a tool named Windows System Image Manager to specific the computer name, just like the figure below: Towards the sysprep scenario, you could refer to the article below: Title: What Is Sysprep? URL: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd799240(WS.10).aspx You will find the tool Windows System Image Manager is included. Regards, JamesJames Xiong TechNet Community Support

Hi, From the problem description, I understand that you would like to prompt up during the first start up for a new server name. At first, you need to modify your unattend.xml file to make sure that computer name is that you needed. I think you need to download the WAIK tool to modify the computer name, you could refer to the article below: Title: The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7 URL: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5753 And you will find a tool named Windows System Image Manager to specific the computer name, just like the figure below: Towards the sysprep scenario, you could refer to the article below: Title: What Is Sysprep? URL: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd799240(WS.10).aspx You will find the tool Windows System Image Manager is included. Regards, JamesJames Xiong TechNet Community Support

Hi, Thanks for your update. At first, I would like to clarify one thing, Windows Automated Installation Kit (KIT) for Windows 7 is still applied to the Windows Server 2008 R2. If you look into the link, you will find the supported operating system. Windows System Image Manage is a tool included in the WAIK. If you would like to sysprep your server, you could use the Windows SIM to specific the computer name towards the whole new installation of the Windows Server 2008 R2 by using the unattend.xml file. If you are just using the sysprep, it can’t be done. Sysprep converts the %COMPUTERNAME% environment variable to uppercase characters. However, the actual name of the computer does not change. So there is no way to have the unattend.xml file to prompt for the new server name. Regards, JamesJames Xiong TechNet Community Support

I don't see anywhere here where it guides to prompting for the server name. The creation/use of the unattend file in these docs, refers to filling it in with a predetermined server name. I have done that, many times. That works fine. The prompting during the first startup of the server, to assign at "that" time, not days/weeks/months earlier, is what I'm looking for. It seems that everyone keeps pointing me to Windows 7 documentation. From my understanding, the server 2008 r2 sysprep/AIK is NOT the same. I am under the impression that this functionality does not work, or is not allowed, with server 2008 r2. While I appreciate that folks are trying to help, please reply to this thread if you KNOW what the status is for server 2008 r2 and how to make it work, if it does. Thanks much folks! mpleaf

...if there is another forum area I should be asking this question in (one specific to sysprep somewhere?), please feel free to refer me to that... Thanks again! mpleaf

Thanks James! This is more of a confirmation of what I thought. It just does not appear that anything in standard server 2008 r2 AIK/sysprep will allow the prompting. In order to do this, I must use another utility. Thanks again for ensuring I am on the right path. mpleaf

Hi, Thanks for your update. At first, I would like to clarify one thing, Windows Automated Installation Kit (KIT) for Windows 7 is still applied to the Windows Server 2008 R2. If you look into the link, you will find the supported operating system. Windows System Image Manage is a tool included in the WAIK. If you would like to sysprep your server, you could use the Windows SIM to specific the computer name towards the whole new installation of the Windows Server 2008 R2 by using the unattend.xml file. If you are just using the sysprep, it can’t be done. Sysprep converts the %COMPUTERNAME% environment variable to uppercase characters. However, the actual name of the computer does not change. So there is no way to have the unattend.xml file to prompt for the new server name. Regards, JamesJames Xiong TechNet Community Support

Well said James, this is probably one area where you will need to really play around and read a lot to get going. Feel free to play around this site http://www.windows-noob.com/forums/index.php?/forum/39-deploying-windows-xp-vista-server-and-more/ All answers are there...Regards zizebra http://auction.joyoustimes.net