Specifying the computername and joining a domain - automated

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G

Guest

Since XPe does not provide a direct way to specifying the computername and
joining a domain, I wanted to see if anyone has scripted this up before I
reinvent the wheel. Thanks.
 
The computer name can be changed in the component ACPI Uniprocessor PC
(or multi) under the section System Identification. The workgroup
membership can also be setted at the same place.

For the domain, use the component called Domain Participation under
Software/System/Accessbility/Networking & Communications. By adding
this macro components, it will assure you have all the necessary
dependencies for domain. It will add the component Windows logon
(Standard). Go in settings of this component, you will find two text
box to fill : Default Domain name and Default User name.

Regards,
Jonathan Proulx
 
Thanks for the response. The problem with specifying the computername on the
HAL component is that it's the same for every PC and, thus, must still be
changed manually later. I have included the Domain Participation macro, but
manual intervention is still required to join the domain once the image is
down.

What I am trying to do (that I don't think can be done directly with XPe
tools) is to be able to specify a computername for each system and to specify
the domain (along with the necessary credentials for joining the domain) and
have it get joined automatically. I'm thinking of using the netdom command
along with the RunOnce registry key to get it done, but want to see if it's
already been done. These commands would probably be run against an image
which included the System Cloning Tool for mass deployment. Any thoughts on
such as approach?
 
If you want to change the computer name and join a specific domain, you
can use a WMI Script or build you a VB/C# .net WMI application (via
System.Management.dll). Do not use registry or third party application,
this is not professionnal and less efficient. I think that when you
change a settings in windows via gui, it uses the wmi!

Rename the computer :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...name_method_in_class_win32_computersystem.asp

Changing computer domain :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...roup_method_in_class_win32_computersystem.asp

List of tasks you can do with the WMI :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...misdk/wmi/wmi_tasks__accounts_and_domains.asp

Search the web, there are so many examples in vb and C# using wmi...

When your wmi application is build, you can create a runOnce item that
execute it.
You can store in a txt or ini files the computer name and domain you
want and make your application read it. Include the wmi application and
wmi extra components in your image (wmi is the heart of windows, the
core component of wmi are almost always include in the xpe image we
produce).

Take note that renaming the computer name in windows, in all the case
you need to reboot the computer for the change to completely take
effects. You can first download WMI Explorer and WMI utilities to
explore to content of the wmi.

Regards,
Jonathan proulx
 
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