Maida,
How did you set up the GPO initially? Meaning, did you create the GPO and
link it to the OU in which the computer account objects are located? Or, if
you did this to the user configuration side of things, to the OU in which
the user account objects are located?
I would suggest that you continue to keep the GPO for notes. There are a
lot of advantages to using a GPO to install software. One of them is the
self-healing ( from IntelliMirror ). Another is the ease with which you can
update or upgrade. For example, when a Service Pack is released for Office
XP ( or 2000 or 2003 ) all you need to do is to update the AIP and then
redeploy. This is a whole lot easier than having to reimage all of the
computers....
Seems like the way that you are thinking about doing things is going to
cause you problems in the long run. Have the base image ( OS, Critical and
Recommended Updates ) and then install everything possible via GPO. Does it
take a bit longer? Initially, sure. Maybe 10 minutes? But is that worth
it when you loose all of the functionality of deploying software via GPO? I
would say absolutely not! But you are the boss! So it is your call.
--
Cary W. Shultz
Roanoke, VA 24014
Microsoft Active Directory MVP
http://www.activedirectory-win2000.com
http://www.grouppolicy-win2000.com