Factory mode and Auditing Sysprep

I was wondering if someone could give me a general idea on what these two
parts of sysprep are for. I've read a lot, but all I get is that clicking
Factory will start it in Factory mode....but what is factory mode used for?
I mean is it literally for using in say the Dell factory? And what would be
the purpose/use of Auditing a windows setup? I know it's a pretty general
question but maybe all I'm really looking for is a few general examples of
their usage. Thanks a bunch...

WILLIAM wrote:
> I was wondering if someone could give me a general idea on what these
> two parts of sysprep are for. I've read a lot, but all I get is that
> clicking Factory will start it in Factory mode....but what is factory
> mode used for? I mean is it literally for using in say the Dell
> factory?

That's exactly what it's for. Suppose you're a computer manufacturer.
Rather than set up each computer from scratch from the Windows XP CD,
you prepare a master computer, Sysprep it, and image it. This image
isn't customized in any way; it's your absolute base image.

When you ship a computer to a customer, though, you may want to
customize it. Maybe you offer different software packages that the
customer can choose from. Instead of creating a separate image for each
possible combination (and have to change every one if any piece of
software changes), you simply put the installers for all of the possible
software on your master image. The master image is Sysprep'd with
Factory mode. The computer then goes to a "factory" technician, who puts
in a floppy or CD with a special Winbom.ini file on it representing the
customer's exact choice of packages. Factory mode automatically installs
all the correct software, then deletes the software installers. It
finally shuts down the computer. The next time the computer starts (by
the customer), it goes into Windows Welcome, and is ready to use.

There are other ways to use Factory mode, but this is obviously one of
the primary intentions. I can't say I know exactly what auditing is for.

--
David
Stardate 8585.2


And what would be the purpose/use of Auditing a windows
> setup? I know it's a pretty general question but maybe all I'm
> really looking for is a few general examples of their usage. Thanks
> a bunch...
>

Thank you so much! Exactly what I was looking for...

"David Trimboli" wrote:

> WILLIAM wrote:
> > I was wondering if someone could give me a general idea on what these
> > two parts of sysprep are for. I've read a lot, but all I get is that
> > clicking Factory will start it in Factory mode....but what is factory
> > mode used for? I mean is it literally for using in say the Dell
> > factory?
>
> That's exactly what it's for. Suppose you're a computer manufacturer.
> Rather than set up each computer from scratch from the Windows XP CD,
> you prepare a master computer, Sysprep it, and image it. This image
> isn't customized in any way; it's your absolute base image.
>
> When you ship a computer to a customer, though, you may want to
> customize it. Maybe you offer different software packages that the
> customer can choose from. Instead of creating a separate image for each
> possible combination (and have to change every one if any piece of
> software changes), you simply put the installers for all of the possible
> software on your master image. The master image is Sysprep'd with
> Factory mode. The computer then goes to a "factory" technician, who puts
> in a floppy or CD with a special Winbom.ini file on it representing the
> customer's exact choice of packages. Factory mode automatically installs
> all the correct software, then deletes the software installers. It
> finally shuts down the computer. The next time the computer starts (by
> the customer), it goes into Windows Welcome, and is ready to use.
>
> There are other ways to use Factory mode, but this is obviously one of
> the primary intentions. I can't say I know exactly what auditing is for.
>
> --
> David
> Stardate 8585.2
>
>
> And what would be the purpose/use of Auditing a windows
> > setup? I know it's a pretty general question but maybe all I'm
> > really looking for is a few general examples of their usage. Thanks
> > a bunch...
> >
>