Question concerning Login

I work at a training facility, and we are about to start training on Windows
Vista.

With XP, we deploy an image, and it's a very convenient situation. When the
XP image deploys, it will randomize the local computer name, so there are no
duplicates, and also join to the local domain.

When we try this with Vista, the Local Computer name must be typed, and it
is a long string of random numbers and letters, as there is no dropdown
selection anymore.

Is there an alias that can be used for Local Computer during the logon?

You can use the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK) and sysprep to
create an unattended installation which can perform the actions you require.
For more information in regards to the WAIK and creating automated Windows
Vista installations, please review these links, they may be of use to you:

WAIK User Guide and Unattended Installation Reference:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Windows Vista Deployment Step-by-Step Guide:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window....mspx?mfr=true

Mark Minasi's guide to creating unattend.xml installation files for Windows
Vista:
http://www.minasi.com/newsletters/nws0701a.htm

Mark Minasi's sysprep.exe documentation for Windows Vista (customizing the
installation and running sysprep):
http://www.minasi.com/newsletters/nws0702a.htm

Hope this helps, have a great day,
--
Regards,
Kristan M. Kenney
Microsoft MVP [Windows - Shell/User]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


"Jeff" wrote:

Hey Kristan,

I used the WAIK to create an answer file for use with Sysprep to prepare an
image for deployment. Unfortunately, I'm experienced with the old Setup
Manager, and the range of features of the AIK is overwhelming. Also, what I
am doing may be a bit obscure.

As I said, we have classrooms for training (usually Microsoft Office
applications). For most classes, it is sufficient to be able to access the
local machine. For some classes, such as Outlook, we need to be part of the
domain.

While it is not difficult to join a domain, it is an added chunk of time,
especially when we do not have much time to actually prep the classroom.

As it stands, with XP, we run the image, and we have the drop-down option
for either local machine or domain login. The local machine names are
randomized as to prevent issues with workgroup traffic.

In Vista, the randomized local computer names actually add to the time of
preperation. I have to look up the computer name, and log in via
computername\user. When the computer name is LH-87ghyso19jd7 or something of
that nature, it becomes prone to human error and adds to the time. Once the
name is put in once, Vista has the functionality I need.

Ultimately, this is not a serious issue, just one that has myself (a MCT)
and several other instructors miffed.

I think that it will be necessary to actually force the image to create a
local user account, join the domain, and see both accounts, which probably
means a few hours of tinkering with the AIK to get the desired results.

Also, we're not creating a true Windows image. We just need to do a single
Sysprep to capture a Ghost image for our deployment needs.

Ideally, though, some alias for local computer during login would make our
situation much more efficient, with our current understanding of the Vista
AIK. This will probably change as our experience grows.

Thank you for the response, I've bookmarked the links. They are quite
helpful.

"Kristan M. Kenney [MVP]" wrote:

Jeff, oddly enough I just had the same question, and found a solution.

Here is one possible method to easily logon locally when your Vista machine
is joined to a domain:

Use period-backslash username --> ".\username"

What I mean is that when you are at the Vista screen where you can "switch
users," select "other user" and then login with .\username

The login type will automatically switch from domain\username to
localcompname\username. This way you don't have to figure out what the local
computer name is.


~Paul


"Jeff" wrote:

Thank you Paul, you can't imagine how much time this will save me.

"PaulK" wrote: